ЛАКМУС. Василий Супрун, доктор филологических наук

Лингвист, славист и лексиколог, доктор филологический наук Василий Иванович Супрун в новом выпуске программы типа ЛАКМУС рассказывает, что ономастика, как изучаются славянские языки, сколько теорий происхождения этой речи существует, а также опровергает мнение, что филология-женская наука.

Contest on Onomastics Held at Baiyshev University

 On April 18, 2025, the conference hall of Baiyshev University hosted the international scientific contest "Modern Onomastics: Realities and Development Trends," bringing together students and young researchers passionate about the study of onomastics — a crucial element of the linguistic and cultural worldview.

The contest was organized by the faculty of educational programs "Teacher Training in Languages and Literature" at the School of Natural and Humanitarian Sciences.

The goal of the event was to foster interest in onomastic research, support scientific initiatives among young scholars, encourage experience sharing, and develop the culture of scientific discussion and research presentation.

Participants included students from Samara State Social and Pedagogical University (Russia), A. Margulan Pavlodar Pedagogical University (Kazakhstan), K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University (Kazakhstan), and Baiyshev University.

The contestants presented works focusing on anthroponymy and toponymy, exploring regional and historical-cultural aspects of naming. Their projects stood out for the originality of topics, depth of analysis, and relevance of conclusions.

Based on evaluations by a jury composed of leading experts in linguistics, winners were selected. All participants received certificates, while the authors of the best projects were awarded diplomas.

The onomastics competition served as a platform for intellectual growth, inter-university collaboration, and the development of research culture among students, reaffirming the strong interest of young people in linguistic studies and their significance for science and society.

---

Russian

Международный научный конкурс по ономастике состоялся в Баишев Университете

18 апреля 2025 года в конференц-зале Баишев Университета состоялся научный конкурс с международным участием «Современная ономастика: реалии и тенденции развития», собравший студентов и молодых исследователей, заинтересованных в изучении ономастики — важнейшего элемента языковой и культурной картины мира.

Организатором конкурса выступили преподаватели образовательных программ «Подготовка учителей по языкам и литературе» Высшей школы естественно-гуманитарных наук.

Цель мероприятия заключалась в развитии интереса к ономастическим исследованиям, поддержке научной инициативы молодых учёных, обмене опытом, а также формировании культуры научной дискуссии и презентации результатов исследований.

В конкурсе приняли участие обучающиеся Самарского государственного социально-педагогического университета (Россия), Павлодарского педагогического университета им. А. Маргулана (Казахстан), Актюбинского регионального университета им. К. Жубанова (Казахстан) и Баишев Университета.

Участники представили работы, посвящённые антропонимике и топонимике, затрагивающие региональные и историко-культурные аспекты именования. Конкурсные проекты отличались оригинальностью тем, глубиной анализа и актуальностью выводов.

По итогам оценивания жюри, в состав которого вошли ведущие специалисты в области лингвистики, были определены победители. Все участники получили сертификаты, а авторы лучших проектов — дипломы.

Научный конкурс по ономастике стал важной площадкой для интеллектуального роста, межвузовского сотрудничества и развития исследовательской культуры среди студентов, подтвердив высокий интерес молодежи к лингвистическим исследованиям и их значимость для науки и общества.

---

Kazakh

Байышев Университетінде халықаралық ономастика ғылыми байқауы өтті

2025 жылдың 18 сәуірінде Байышев Университетінің конференц-залында «Қазіргі ономастика: шынайылық пен даму үрдістері» атты халықаралық ғылыми байқау өтті. Іс-шараға ономастика ғылымына қызығушылық танытқан студенттер мен жас зерттеушілер қатысты. Ономастика — әлемнің тілдік әрі мәдени бейнесіндегі маңызды элементтердің бірі.

Байқауды ұйымдастырған — Жаратылыстану-гуманитарлық ғылымдар жоғары мектебінің «Тілдер мен әдебиет мұғалімдерін даярлау» білім беру бағдарламаларының оқытушылары.

Іс-шараның мақсаты — ономастикалық зерттеулерге қызығушылықты арттыру, жас зерттеушілердің ғылыми бастамаларын қолдау, тәжірибе алмасу, ғылыми пікірталас мәдениетін дамыту және зерттеу нәтижелерін ұсыну шеберлігін қалыптастыру болды.

Байқауға Самара мемлекеттік әлеуметтік-педагогикалық университетінің (Ресей), А. Марғұлан атындағы Павлодар педагогикалық университетінің (Қазақстан), Қ. Жұбанов атындағы Ақтөбе өңірлік университетінің (Қазақстан) және Байышев Университетінің студенттері қатысты.

Қатысушылар антропонимика мен топонимика салаларын қамтыған, аймақтық және тарихи-мәдени атау мәселелеріне арналған жобаларын ұсынды. Жұмыстар тақырыптардың өзектілігімен, талдаудың тереңдігімен және тұжырымдардың маңыздылығымен ерекшеленді.

Лингвистика саласындағы жетекші мамандардан құралған қазылар алқасының шешімі бойынша жеңімпаздар анықталды. Барлық қатысушылар сертификаттармен, ал үздік жобалардың авторлары дипломдармен марапатталды.

Ономастика бойынша өткен ғылыми байқау студенттер арасында зияткерлік өсудің, жоғары оқу орындары арасындағы ынтымақтастықтың және ғылыми мәдениеттің дамуының маңызды алаңына айналды. Іс-шара жастардың лингвистикалық зерттеулерге деген зор қызығушылығын және ғылым мен қоғам үшін олардың маңыздылығын тағы бір мәрте дәлелдеді.

Ұлттық ономастика - ел айнасы / National onomastics is the mirror of the nation

English

Exploring National Identity Through Language: A Unique Contest in Saran

In the city of Saran, representatives of various nationalities came together to share their knowledge of Kazakh onomastics and compete in a citywide contest.
The event, titled "National Onomastics – the Mirror of the Nation," aimed to delve deep into the richness of the Kazakh language, exploring the origins of names and geographical place names.
This initiative not only celebrated linguistic diversity but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the cultural heritage embedded within the Kazakh language.

---

Russian

Погружение в мир языка: уникальный конкурс в Саране

В городе Саран представители разных национальностей поделились своими знаниями казахской ономастики и соревновались в городском конкурсе.
Мероприятие под названием «Национальная ономастика — зеркало народа» было направлено на глубокое изучение богатства казахского языка, происхождения имён и топонимов.
Инициатива не только подчеркнула языковое разнообразие, но и способствовала более глубокому осмыслению культурного наследия, скрытого в казахском языке.

---

Kazakh

Тіл арқылы ұлттың рухын тану: Саран қаласындағы ерекше байқау

Саран қаласында түрлі ұлт өкілдері бас қосып, қазақ ономастикасы бойынша білімдерін ортаға салып, қалалық байқауда бақ сынады.
«Ұлттық ономастика – ел айнасы» атты шара қазақ тілінің байлығына терең үңіліп, есімдер мен жер-су атауларының шығу тегін зерделеуді мақсат етті.
Бұл бастама тілдік әртүрлілікті дәріптеп қана қоймай, қазақ тіліндегі мәдени мұраны тереңірек түсінуге ықпал етті.

Upcoming Seminar on Luwic Anthroponyms at Lyon’s HiSoMA

 Mark your calendars for April 22, 2025 - a compelling seminar awaits those interested in ancient languages, religious studies, and the power of names. The Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée (MOM) in Lyon will host a talk by Dr. Florian Réveilhac (CNRS/HiSoMA) on a fascinating topic: the anthroponymy (naming system) of Southern Anatolian languages - namely Luwian, Lycian, and Carian, often collectively referred to as the Luwic subgroup.

Rethinking Names in the Ancient World

Long examined through an Indo-European lens - primarily modeled on Greek and Indo-Iranian - names in Luwic languages are now revealing much more complexity than previously thought. Dr. Réveilhac proposes a significant shift in approach: many personal names in these languages are theophoric, meaning they incorporate the name or epithets of deities.

These divine references may allude to:

• Specific cult places,

• Religious functions or offices,

• Or titles attributed to gods.

Rather than simple lexical derivations, these names reveal a ritual and theological fabric that defined identity in Luwic-speaking cultures.

A New Typology of Names

Dr. Réveilhac’s talk, titled “Les noms théophores dans l’anthroponymie des langues louviques (louvite, lycien, carien, etc.) : nouvelles approches” ("Theophoric Names in Luwic Anthroponymy: New Approaches"), will offer a combinatorial analysis of the building blocks of these names. His work suggests a typology that could reframe how we read and interpret inscriptions from Anatolia.

Event Details

• Title: Les noms théophores dans l’anthroponymie des langues louviques

• Speaker: Dr. Florian Réveilhac, CNRS / HiSoMA

• Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

• Time: 17:00–19:00

• Location: Salle Reinach, 4th floor, Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée (MOM), 7 rue Raulin, Lyon 7e

• Organized by: Gilles Van Heems, Yannis Gourdon, and Alcorac Alonso Déniz

• Hosted by: HiSoMA (History and Sources of the Ancient World)

---

Whether you're a linguist, historian, philologist, or simply fascinated by how ancient peoples named themselves and others, this seminar offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research on ancient naming practices.

Stay tuned and follow updates at: hisoma.mom.fr

🗓️ From Manuscripts to Megabytes: A Digital Leap in Historical Onomastics

 📍 Nominarium Online Seminar – 24 April 2025

🔍 With Agata Łojek (University of Warsaw)
🕔 Thursday, 24 April 2025, 17:00 (Zoom platform)

The next session of the Nominarium – a recurring online seminar hosted by the Polish Onomastic Society and the Onomastics Department of the Institute of the Polish Language, Polish Academy of Sciences – is just around the corner. This time, Agata Łojek, a linguist from the University of Warsaw, will present her cutting-edge digital tool: Antropoteka.

💡 Lecture topic:

“From Manuscripts to Megabytes – How Modern Digital Tools Support Research in Historical Anthroponymy. Presentation of Antropoteka”

In her talk, Agata Łojek will demonstrate how modern data processing techniques can enhance historical name research. The Antropoteka platform is a new database developed under the prestigious Diamond Grant project focused on the evolution and sociolinguistic context of surnames in the Daleszyce parish from the 17th to 19th centuries.

💽 The database already contains over 160,000 personal name entries from baptismal records in Latin and Polish and enables:

• semantic, structural, and sociolinguistic analysis;

• automatic generation of etymological-historical dictionaries;

• interactive maps and search tools for name distribution.

This powerful and open-access tool will soon be available to researchers worldwide.

📩 To register, send an email to: nominarium.poltowonom@gmail.com
You’ll receive a Zoom link in response.

---

📚 Od rękopisów do megabajtów – cyfrowe wsparcie w badaniach onomastycznych

📍 Seminarium online NOMINARIUM – 24 kwietnia 2025
🎓 Prowadząca: mgr Agata Łojek (Uniwersytet Warszawski)
🕔 Czwartek, 24 kwietnia 2025, godz. 17:00 (na platformie Zoom)

Najbliższe spotkanie w ramach cyklicznego seminarium NOMINARIUM, organizowanego przez Polskie Towarzystwo Onomastyczne i Pracownię Onomastyki IJP PAN, zapowiada się wyjątkowo interesująco. Gościem będzie mgr Agata Łojek, językoznawczyni z Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, która zaprezentuje nowoczesne narzędzie badawcze – Antropotekę.

📌 Tytuł wystąpienia:

„Od rękopisów do megabajtów – jak współczesne narzędzia cyfrowe wspierają badania nad antroponimią historyczną? Prezentacja Antropoteki”

Prelegentka przedstawi proces tworzenia innowacyjnej bazy danych antroponimicznych dla parafii Daleszyce (XVII–XIX w.), w ramach grantu MNiSW Diamentowy Grant.

📊 Antropoteka umożliwia:

• kompleksową analizę semantyczną, strukturalną i socjolingwistyczną;

• automatyczne tworzenie słownika etymologiczno-historycznego;

• wyszukiwanie i wizualizację danych z ksiąg metrykalnych (ok. 160 000 notacji).

📬 Zainteresowanych udziałem prosimy o wiadomość na adres: nominarium.poltowonom@gmail.com
Link Zoom zostanie przesłany w odpowiedzi.

🎓 Upcoming Onomastics Lectures You Shouldn’t Miss (Summer to Winter 2025) 🌍

The International Council of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS) continues its Onomastics Online lecture series with three exciting and thought-provoking talks scheduled for June, October, and December 2025. These lectures bring together global scholars exploring the cultural, linguistic, and digital dimensions of names and naming systems. Here’s a glimpse of what’s ahead:

📅 12 June 2025
Speaker: Amin Almuhanna
Affiliation: Kuwait University, Kuwait
Title: Numeric Codes in the Arabian Peninsula
Language: English
Moderator: Fatemeh Akbari
In this session, Dr. Almuhanna explores how numeric codes play a role in naming conventions and identity in the Arabian Peninsula—offering unique insights into an underrepresented area of onomastic research.

📅 9 October 2025
Speaker: Ivana Crljenko
Affiliation: University of Zadar, Croatia
Title: Croatian Exonyms: The Use, Projects, Publications
Language: English
Moderator: Peter Jordan
This talk will dive into the fascinating realm of exonyms—the names used in one language for places in another country—and explore recent projects in Croatian onomastics.

📅 11 December 2025
Speaker: Rethabile Possa
Affiliation: University of Cape Town, South Africa
Title: Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho
Language: English
In a culturally rich presentation, Possa reflects on the symbolic power of naming practices among the Basotho people and how names reflect identity, history, and resilience.

💻 All sessions are streamed live on YouTube and moderated by experts in the field.
📺 Don’t miss out – check the ICOS YouTube channel for previous lectures and subscribe for reminders: ICOS on YouTube

🔗 More info: https://icosweb.net/onomastics-online/

🇫🇷 

À ne pas manquer : Trois conférences passionnantes sur l’onomastique (été à hiver 2025)

Le Conseil international des sciences onomastiques (ICOS) poursuit sa série de conférences Onomastics Online avec trois événements virtuels captivants prévus en juin, octobre et décembre 2025. Des spécialistes de renommée internationale y aborderont des thématiques liées aux systèmes de noms, à leur usage culturel et à leur dimension numérique.

📅 12 juin 2025
👤 Intervenant : Amin Almuhanna
🏛️ Institution : Université du Koweït
🗣️ Titre : Numeric Codes in the Arabian Peninsula
📍 Langue : anglais
🎤 Modératrice : Fatemeh Akbari
→ Une analyse originale de l’usage des codes numériques dans la construction identitaire et les systèmes de nommage dans la péninsule Arabique.

📅 9 octobre 2025
👤 Intervenante : Ivana Crljenko
🏛️ Institution : Université de Zadar, Croatie
🗣️ Titre : Croatian exonyms: the use, projects, publications
📍 Langue : anglais
🎤 Modérateur : Peter Jordan
→ Un éclairage sur les exonymes croates et leurs usages, avec un aperçu des projets et publications onomastiques en cours.

📅 11 décembre 2025
👤 Intervenante : Rethabile Possa
🏛️ Institution : Université du Cap, Afrique du Sud
🗣️ Titre : Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho
📍 Langue : anglais
→ Une plongée dans les traditions de nommage du peuple Basotho, révélant leur portée symbolique et identitaire.

📺 Retrouvez toutes les conférences sur la chaîne YouTube de l’ICOS :
YouTube ICOS

📌 Infos & programme complet : https://icosweb.net/onomastics-online/

---

🇩🇪 

Nicht verpassen: Drei kommende Online-Vorträge zur Namenforschung (Sommer bis Winter 2025)

Der Internationale Rat für Namenforschung (ICOS) setzt seine Onomastics Online-Reihe mit drei spannenden Vorträgen fort, die im Juni, Oktober und Dezember 2025 stattfinden. Renommierte Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler beleuchten die kulturellen, sprachlichen und digitalen Aspekte von Namen und Namenssystemen.

📅 12. Juni 2025
👤 Referent: Amin Almuhanna
🏛️ Universität: Kuwait University
🗣️ Titel: Numeric Codes in the Arabian Peninsula
📍 Sprache: Englisch
🎤 Moderatorin: Fatemeh Akbari
→ Eine Untersuchung über die Rolle numerischer Codes in Namenssystemen und Identitätsbildung auf der Arabischen Halbinsel.

📅 9. Oktober 2025
👤 Referentin: Ivana Crljenko
🏛️ Universität: Universität Zadar, Kroatien
🗣️ Titel: Croatian exonyms: the use, projects, publications
📍 Sprache: Englisch
🎤 Moderator: Peter Jordan
→ Ein Überblick über kroatische Exonyme, ihre Verwendung und aktuelle onomastische Projekte.

📅 11. Dezember 2025
👤 Referentin: Rethabile Possa
🏛️ Universität: Universität Kapstadt, Südafrika
🗣️ Titel: Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho
📍 Sprache: Englisch
→ Eine tiefgründige Analyse der Namensgebungstraditionen der Basotho und ihrer kulturellen Bedeutung.

📺 Alle Vorträge sind auf dem YouTube-Kanal von ICOS abrufbar:
YouTube ICOS

📌 Weitere Infos & vollständiges Programm: https://icosweb.net/onomastics-online/

Conference Report: Kolloquium Namenforschung Schweiz #13

 Title: "Namenforschung Schweiz: Quo vadis?"

Date: Friday, 11 April 2025
Venue: Bürgerasyl-Pfrundhaus Zürich, Kapelle, Leonhardstrasse 18, Zürich

---

The 13th edition of the Kolloquium Namenforschung Schweiz brought together leading scholars and practitioners in the field of onomastics to explore the future of name studies in Switzerland. Held in the historic Kapelle of the Bürgerasyl-Pfrundhaus in Zürich, the one-day colloquium addressed the challenges and opportunities facing name researchers in a rapidly changing academic and data landscape.

The central question posed by the event - Quo vadis? - framed a series of presentations and discussions on how onomastic projects are maintained after funding ends, the role of universities in data preservation, the future of citizen science in name studies, and the potential of collaborative depositories like the Schweizerisches Idiotikon.

Morning Session Highlights:

After a welcome coffee and brief opening remarks in German, French, and Italian, the first part of the day focused on ongoing regional projects:

• Berner Namenbuch (University of Bern) and Solothurner Namenbuch (University of Basel) presented updates on their respective namebooks, showcasing digital approaches and local engagement.

• The Familiennamenatlas der Deutschschweiz highlighted innovations in surname mapping and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Contributions from regional projects such as Tschiertschen-Praden, Vaud, and Obwalden emphasized the diverse linguistic and cultural layers in Swiss toponymy.

Afternoon Session Highlights:

Post-lunch, the colloquium resumed with reports from:

• The Aargauer Namenbuch, presented by This Fetzer on behalf of Philippe and Beatrice Hofmann, and the Luzerner Namenbuch continued the theme of regional documentation.

• In a reflective turn, Elia Ackermann, self-described "Aussteiger" (drop-out) from onomastics, offered a personal perspective on the professional limits of the field.

• Tobias Roth's presentation on the Schweizerisches Idiotikon underscored its relevance as a central depository for onomastic data in Switzerland.

Final Discussion and Conclusion:

The event concluded with a roundtable discussion addressing the pressing question: Does name research have a future in Switzerland — and if so, what kind? Participants voiced cautious optimism, advocating for sustainable structures, interdisciplinary alliances, and the empowerment of smaller, citizen-led projects.

The day ended with a guided tour of the Schweizerisches Idiotikon, offering participants a tangible sense of the legacy and continuity that the colloquium hopes to preserve and adapt for future generations.

---

This 13th colloquium once again confirmed the vitality and diversity of Swiss onomastic research, even as it called for renewed vision and infrastructure to support the scholars behind the names.

Tagungsbericht: 13. Kolloquium Namenforschung Schweiz
Titel: „Namenforschung Schweiz: Quo vadis?“
Datum: Freitag, 11. April 2025
Ort: Bürgerasyl-Pfrundhaus Zürich, Kapelle, Leonhardstrasse 18, Zürich

---

Das 13. Kolloquium Namenforschung Schweiz versammelte Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler sowie Praktikerinnen und Praktiker der Onomastik zu einem intensiven Austausch über Gegenwart und Zukunft der Namenforschung in der Schweiz. Unter dem programmatischen Titel „Quo vadis?“ stand die Frage im Zentrum, wie die Namenforschung im Spannungsfeld zwischen Projektfinanzierung, Datensicherung, öffentlicher Beteiligung und institutioneller Verankerung weiterentwickelt werden kann.

Vormittagssession: Projekte und Perspektiven

Nach einem einleitenden Kaffee und einer kurzen Begrüssung auf Deutsch, Französisch und Italienisch begann die Tagung mit einem Überblick über laufende Projekte:

• Das Berner Namenbuch (Universität Bern) sowie das Solothurner Namenbuch (Universität Basel) präsentierten ihre aktuellen Arbeiten, insbesondere im digitalen Bereich.

• Der Familiennamenatlas der Deutschschweiz zeigte innovative Kartierungsansätze und methodische Entwicklungen im Bereich der Siedlungs- und Namensgeschichte.

• Berichte aus weiteren Projekten wie Tschiertschen-Praden, Vaud und Obwalden unterstrichen die sprachliche und kulturelle Vielfalt der schweizerischen Namengeographie.

Nachmittagssession: Zwischen Wissenschaft und Praxis

Nach dem Mittagessen standen weitere regionale Namenbuch-Projekte im Fokus:

• Für das Aargauer Namenbuch berichtete This Fetzer stellvertretend für Philippe und Beatrice Hofmann.

• Das Luzerner Namenbuch stellte neue methodische Zugänge zur Diskussion.

• Mit einem persönlichen Beitrag zum „Aussteigen“ aus der Namenforschung reflektierte Elia Ackermann über die Grenzen der akademischen Karrierewege im Fach.

• Tobias Roth stellte die Rolle des Schweizerischen Idiotikons als zentrales Sammelbecken und Kooperationsplattform für die Namenforschung heraus.

Abschlussdiskussion: Hat die Namenforschung eine Zukunft?

In der abschließenden Diskussionsrunde ging es um die zentrale Frage: „Hat die Namenforschung in der Schweiz eine Zukunft – und wenn ja, welche?“ Die Beiträge zeigten eine vorsichtige Zuversicht, betonten aber die Notwendigkeit nachhaltiger Strukturen, neuer Allianzen und einer stärkeren institutionellen Rückbindung der Projekte.

Den Schlusspunkt setzte eine Führung durch das Schweizerische Idiotikon, das exemplarisch für die Verbindung von historischer Tiefe und digitaler Zugänglichkeit steht.

---

Das 13. Kolloquium zeigte eindrucksvoll die Breite, Tiefe und Relevanz der Namenforschung in der Schweiz – und die dringende Notwendigkeit, ihr auch für die Zukunft tragfähige Wege zu sichern.

Ономастика саласының маңызы. Тіл жанашыры Бақыт Әбиірұлы

«Елге қызмет» бағдарламасының бүгінгі кейіпкері еңбек жолын 1986 жылы ұстаздықтан бастаған – Бақыт Әбиірұлы. Бүгінде ол Алматы қаласы әкімі аппаратының Тілдерді дамыту және ономастика бөлімінің басшысы болып қызмет атқаруда. Ол тіл саясатын жүзеге асыру, ономастика саласындағы жұмыстарды жүйелеу бағытында ауқымды еңбек етіп келеді. Ұзақ жылдар бойы жинаған мол тәжірибесін жас мамандарға үйретіп, мемлекеттік қызметтің абыройлы да жауапты саласында кейінгі буынға бағыт-бағдар беруде.

The featured guest of today’s "Serving the Nation" program is Baqyt Äbiıruly, who began his career in 1986 as a teacher. He is currently the Head of the Department for Language Development and Onomastics under the Office of the Mayor of Almaty. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to implementing language policy and systematizing work in the field of onomastics. Drawing on his extensive professional experience, he mentors young specialists and provides guidance to the next generation in this honorable and responsible sphere of public service.

🌸 Blossoming Names and Bulgarian Tradition: An Interview with Dr. Rada Levkova

 On the occasion of Tsvetnitsa (Palm Sunday), one of the most cherished spring holidays in Bulgaria, Nova Varna sat down with Dr. Rada Levkova - assistant professor at the University of Veliko Tarnovo and expert in onomastics (the study of names) - to explore the roots and symbolism of so-called “flower names” in Bulgarian culture.

---

🌼 The Tradition of Floral Names

Bulgarians have a long-standing tradition of naming children after flowers and plants. These names often fall into two categories: aspirational (e.g., Tsveta, Kalin, Yavor), which express a wish for beauty or good fortune, and protective names meant to guard the child.

---

🌿 Changing Trends in Naming

Some names, like Tsvetan, Yasen, and Kalin, have stood the test of time. Others - such as Bosilko, Zyumbula (Hyacinth), or Yagoda (Strawberry) - are now less common. Dr. Levkova notes a recent revival of old names, as well as the appearance of new ones like Kaliya and Yasmina.

---

🌹 Local and Global Inspirations

While names derived from the Slavic roots tsvet- or tsvyat- are typically Bulgarian, names like Rosa, Violeta, and Margarita have international equivalents. Interestingly, Margarita comes from the Greek word for “pearl” and is associated with the goddess Aphrodite.

---

🌼 The Meaning Behind a Name

In the past, names were believed to have magical power - they could protect or endow the bearer with certain traits. Today, names are often chosen in honor of family members or admired figures, with the hope that the child will inherit their virtues.

---

📚 Choosing a Name with Meaning

Dr. Levkova encourages expecting parents to consult name dictionaries to understand the origin and meaning of a name before making their choice. Doing so enriches cultural awareness and ensures the name carries deep personal and historical significance.

---

You can read the full interview (in Bulgarian) on Nova Varna:
🔗 novavarna.net – Цветница: Интервю с д-р Рада Левкова

На Цветница, един от най-светлите християнски празници, „Нова Варна“ проведе интервю с д-р Рада Левкова – главен асистент във Великотърновския университет и специалист по ономастика. В разговора тя споделя интересни факти за произхода, значението и съвременните тенденции при „цветните“ имена в българската култура.​

🌸 Традицията на „цветните“ имена

В България съществува вековна традиция да се кръщават деца на цветя и растения. Тези имена се разделят на пожелателни – като Цвета, Калин, Явор – и защитни. Пожелателните носят надежда за красота, здраве и добър живот, свързани с положителните качества на растенията.​

🌼 Еволюция на имената през годините

Някои имена като Цветан, Ясен и Калин запазват своята популярност през времето. Други, като Босилко, Зюмбюла и Ягода, са по-рядко срещани днес. През последните десетилетия се наблюдава възраждане на стари имена и създаване на нови, като Калия и Ясмина.​

🌹 Български и чуждестранни корени

Имена с корени „цвет-“ или „цвят-“ са с български произход. Други, като Роза, Виолета и Маргарита, имат международни аналози. Интересно е, че името Маргарита произлиза от гръцката дума за „бисер“ и е свързано с богинята Афродита.​

🌿 Символика и влияние на имената

В миналото се е вярвало, че имената имат магическа сила и могат да предпазват или да предават качества. Днес много хора избират имена, свързани с близки роднини или известни личности, вярвайки, че детето ще наследи техните качества.​

Д-р Левкова препоръчва бъдещите родители да се консултират с антропонимни речници при избора на име, за да разберат неговото значение и произход. Така изборът ще бъде осъзнат и ще обогати културната осведоменост.

Discovering Scotland Through Place-Names: A Preview of the 2025 Rhind Lectures

AI-generated poster

 If you have a passion for Scotland’s rich history, language, and landscapes, then the 2025 Rhind Lectures hosted by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is an event you won’t want to miss. Held annually since the 19th century, the Rhind Lectures are a cornerstone of Scotland’s scholarly calendar, bringing together leading researchers and the curious public for a deep dive into topics that help us better understand Scotland's past and present.

This year's theme? “Scotland’s Place-Names” - a journey into the fascinating world of toponymy, where every name tells a story.

---

🏛️ What Are the Rhind Lectures?

The Rhind Lectures were established through a bequest by Alexander Henry Rhind (1833–1863), a pioneering archaeologist and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. His vision was to foster public understanding of archaeology, history, and heritage through accessible scholarship. Since then, the lectures have evolved into a multi-day annual event featuring expert speakers on a specific theme.

Delivered by top-tier academics, these lectures are known for their depth, clarity, and public appeal, drawing both professional researchers and interested laypeople alike.

---

📆 What to Expect from the 2025 Edition

🗓️ Date: June 20, 2025
📍 Location: Details will be announced via the Society's website
👥 Capacity: 160 attendees
🎟️ Registration: Free but essential – spaces are limited

This year’s lectures will focus on Scotland’s Place-Names - examining the layers of language, culture, and history behind the names of towns, rivers, hills, and more. Why does Edinburgh mean "fort of Edwin"? What Norse traces linger in the coastal names of the Hebrides? What can Gaelic and Pictish roots reveal about migration and settlement? Expect these and many other questions to be unpacked with scholarly rigor and engaging storytelling.

---

🧭 Format and Flow

The Rhind Lectures typically unfold across a weekend, with six linked lectures presented over two or three days. Here's how a standard Rhind weekend looks:

• Friday Evening: Opening lecture, setting the stage for the theme

• Saturday: Two morning and two afternoon sessions, often followed by informal discussion

• Sunday: Final lecture and closing reflections

Between sessions, participants often enjoy lively Q&As, browsing books or Society publications, and networking with others equally passionate about history and heritage.

---

🗣️ Who Should Attend?

Whether you're a:

• Linguist fascinated by how language changes across landscapes

• Historian tracing settlement patterns

• Archaeologist mapping ancient communities

• Local history buff curious about the name of your hometown

• Or simply a lover of Scotland's cultural richness this event is for you.

The Rhind Lectures are particularly well-suited for those who enjoy learning in a relaxed yet intellectually stimulating environment. No prior expertise is needed - just curiosity!

---

🌍 A Glimpse Into Scotland's Soul

Place-names are more than labels - they are living records of how people saw the land, interacted with it, and built their identities around it. They preserve ancient languages, tell of conquests and kinships, and continue to evolve even today. The 2025 Rhind Lectures will help peel back these layers, offering a deeper understanding of Scotland not just as a place, but as a tapestry of human experience.

---

📝 How to Join

👉 Visit the official event page here:
🔗 Rhind Lectures 2025 – Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

🎟️ Reserve your spot early - seats are limited, and the Rhind Lectures tend to fill up quickly!

---

📣 Final Thoughts

The Rhind Lectures are a testament to the enduring importance of public scholarship. If you're eager to explore how words shape worlds - and how names shape nations - join us this June and uncover the stories hidden in plain sight on Scotland’s map.

📚 Invitation : Séance de dédicace avec Michiel de Vaan 📚

Nous avons le plaisir de vous inviter à une séance de dédicace exceptionnelle avec Michiel de Vaan, linguiste reconnu et auteur du livre passionnant :

« Cantonophonie. Sur l’origine des noms des cantons suisses »

📅 Samedi 19 avril
🕥 De 10h30 à 12h00
📍 Librairie Payot Yverdon

Venez rencontrer l’auteur, faire dédicacer votre exemplaire, et découvrir les origines linguistiques et historiques des noms des cantons suisses. Un rendez-vous incontournable pour les passionnés de langue, d’histoire ou tout simplement de curiosité !

👉 N’oubliez pas de vous abonner à l’agenda des événements Payot : evenements.payot.ch

Au plaisir de vous y accueillir nombreux !

 We are delighted to invite you to a special book signing session with Michiel de Vaan, renowned linguist and author of the fascinating new book:

"Cantonophonie. Sur l’origine des noms des cantons suisses"
(Cantonophony: On the Origins of the Names of the Swiss Cantons)

📅 Saturday, April 19
🕥 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
📍 Payot Yverdon bookstore

Come and meet the author in person, get your copy signed, and dive into the rich linguistic and historical origins of Switzerland’s cantonal names. Whether you're a language enthusiast, history lover, or curious reader, this is an event not to be missed!

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to the Payot event agenda at: evenements.payot.ch

We look forward to welcoming you!

Exploring Sámi Toponymy: Insights from Anni Magga-Eira’s PhD

link  

On April 10, 2025, at Diehtosiida in Kautokeino, Norway, Anni Magga-Eira successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled “The land is different when you have lived there”: A Socio-onomastics Study of Reindeer Herders’ Toponymic Competence in Lákkonjárga Orohat Njulloslákkuid Siida and Sállevári Bálggus. This research, conducted under the University of Oulu’s Faculty of Humanities and the Giellagas Institute, delves into the intricate relationship between Sámi reindeer herders and their toponymic knowledge.​

Understanding Toponymic Competence

Magga-Eira's study focuses on the transmission of place names among Sámi reindeer herders, examining how this knowledge is passed between generations and the socio-onomastic factors influencing this process. The research encompasses two reindeer herding districts: Sallivaara in Finland and Lákkonjárga in Norway. Through interviews conducted in 2007, 2008, 2015, and 2016, involving 18 male informants from both regions, the study collected 1,783 North Sámi place names—940 from Sallivaara and 843 from Lákkonjárga. Participants ranged in age from 31 to 87, providing a comprehensive view across generations.

​

Methodological Approach

Employing both established onomastic methods and innovative approaches tailored for this research, Magga-Eira analyzed the collected data to understand the interplay between language, culture, and environment. The study sheds light on how changes in society, land use, and reindeer herding practices impact the retention and evolution of place names within Sámi communities.​

Academic Contributions

The dissertation was supervised by Professor Ante Aikio of the University of Oulu, with Doctor Inger Marie Gaup Eira from the Sámi University of Applied Sciences serving as the opponent during the defense. Magga-Eira's work contributes significantly to the fields of socio-onomastics and Sámi studies, offering valuable insights into the cultural and linguistic dynamics of indigenous communities.​

For those interested in exploring the full dissertation, it is available through the University of Oulu's publication repository.

Report on the 5th Czech Onomastic Conference

 

Overview

The 5th Czech Onomastic Conference, organized by the Czech Language Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, took place from April 7 to April 10, 2025, at the Czech Academy of Sciences, Národní 3, Prague. The event gathered a diverse international group of scholars and experts in onomastics (the study of names), covering a wide range of topics such as orthography, etymology, dialectology, socio-onomastics, and name policies across languages and regions. The main theme of the conference was interdisciplinarity and cooperation of onomastics with other disciplines and other areas of linguistics. During the four days, 72 interesting papers and 2 plenary lectures (by Christian Zschieschang and Katalin Reszegi) were presented. The event was attended by delegates from Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, and Lithuania.

---

Key Highlights

Opening and Plenary Lectures

• The conference began on Monday, April 7 with an opening session and a plenary lecture by Christian Zschieschang (Bautzen/Budyšin; Cottbus/Chóśebuz), titled "Onomastics and Interdisciplinarity: Practical Experiences and Theoretical Positions."

• Another plenary lecture on April 10 was delivered by Katalin Reszegi (University of Debrecen) on “Polysemy and Synonymy of Proper Names from a Cognitive Perspective.”

---

Conference Sessions

The academic programme was organized into parallel thematic sessions, each chaired by domain experts. Here are some key tracks and presentations:

Onomastics and Orthography

• Tamás Farkas (Budapest): Onomastics and the Development of the Rules of Orthography

• Annika Hussar (Tallinn): Orthographic Variability of Estonian First Names

Name Policy

• Peeter Päll and Tiina Laansalu (Tallinn): Names and Politics – Who Makes Decisions in Estonia

• Liudmyla Kravchenko (Kyiv): Renaming of Ukrainian Villages Due to Decommunization

• Ki Hauber et al. (Budapest): Legal Aspects of Choosing Names in Modern Hungary

Jewish Anthroponyms

• Monika Kresa (Warsaw): Cultural and Linguistic Sources of Jewish Names in Stoczek

• Henryk Duszyński-Karabasz (Bydgoszcz): Jewish Names in 19th-Century Nakło

• Aleksandra Żurek-Huszcz (Warsaw): Jewish Children’s Names in Łódź (1826–1867)

Surnames and Grammar

• Klaudia Abucewicz (Warsaw): Surnames in the Northern Borderlands of Poland (1800–1847)

• Thomas Stolz and Nataliya Levkovych (Bremen): Special Onymic Grammar (SOG) in Romanian

Excursion

Participants enjoyed a sightseeing cruise around the Charles Bridge and Kampa Island, including a visit to the Charles Bridge Museum on April 8.

Onomastics and Etymology

• Ilona Janyšková and Helena Karlíková (Brno): Etymological Dictionaries and Proper Names

• Jiří Rejzek (Prague): Contested Old Czech Reconstructions in A. Profous’ Work

Urban and Family Names

• Michaela Boháčová (Brno): Urbanonymic Systems in Brno

• Karl Hohensinner and Stephan Gaisbauer (Linz): Surname Distribution in Austria and the Czech Republic

Dialectology and Socio-Onomastics

• Tereza Slaměníková (Olomouc): Far Eastern Restaurant Names in Prague

• Katarzyna Skowronek (Kraków): Onomastic Methodologies and Societal Definitions

• Halyna Zymovets (Kyiv): Street Names and National Identity in Kyiv

Onomastics and Politics, Law, and Media

• Žaneta Dvořáková and Andrea Baráková: Legal History of Personal Name Expertise in Czech Courts

• Rafał Mazur (Kraków): Toponyms in Media Discourse on the Russia-Ukraine War

• Halszka Górny (Kraków): Ideonyms in Contemporary Polish Media Titles

Names in Literature and Translation

• Mariann Slíz (Budapest): Proper Name Types and Translation Strategies

• Raluca Giurgiulescu (Baia Mare): Onomastic Valences in Romanian Literature

---

Conference Closing

The conference officially concluded on April 10 with a closing session in room 206. A conference buffet dinner was held at Café Louvre, Prague, bringing together participants in a relaxed and collegial setting.

---

Conclusion

The 5th Czech Onomastic Conference successfully fostered interdisciplinary dialogue, international cooperation, and in-depth research discussions among scholars in the field of name studies. The range of topics and the diversity of linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the presenters underscored the vibrant nature of contemporary onomastics.

Studying toponym changes using gazetteers.net

The lecture series Onomastics Online continued on 10 April 2025 with a lecture entitled "Studying toponym changes. Using gazetteers.net to compare differences in digital repositories" presented by 

Dariusz Gierczak: Herder Institute for Historical Research on East Central Europe (Germany)

https://www.herder-institut.de/profile/dariusz-gierczak/?letter=G

Francis Harvey: Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (Germany)

https://leibniz-ifl.de/institut/personen/harvey-francis

Eric Losang: Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (Germany)

https://leibniz-ifl.de/en/institute-1/people/losang-eric

and moderated by Peter Jordan: Austrian Academy of Sciences (Austria).

Keywords: Toponyms, Gazetteers, Onomastics, Digital Repositories, Geographical Entities

Abstract: 

In this presentation we describe the concepts and capabilities of the gazetteers.net application and examples of its use. Designed to help researchers study changes in toponyms, the current online application with data from 10 digital repositories for the area of contemporary Poland helps researchers working in this area with toponyms consider and compare multiple place names in a selected area. With its possibilities specialists as well as researchers with questions that tangent onomastic matters have a potent environment to aid their research.

In detail, the gazetteers.net web application enables users to search these digital place name repositories simultaneously, view and compare the data collected from different gazetteers. In addition, the application supports the identification of names that may refer to the same geographical entity, regardless of definitions what constitutes a geographical place or its historical or present administrative status. With the functionality for linking corresponding names from these sources, the application helps facilitate comparisons.

Through examples we consider how the gazetteers.net application helps with assessments of the consistency, accuracy and uncertainty of historical place names. The application supports researcher identification of toponyms from different databases that may refer to the same geographical entity, during different periods and provides a means to create links between corresponding elements in different gazetteers, which can be exported in CSV format files for use in further comparison and analysis.

Future plans for the application will develop capacities for researchers to add their data and improve comparison abilities.

Onomastics Online is a series of online lectures dealing with important timely topics related to names and naming. Presented by distinguished scholars from various academic backgrounds, the lectures demonstrate the importance and the multidisciplinary nature of onomastic research. To see the list of upcoming and past lectures, please visit our webpage at: https://icosweb.net/onomastics-online/.

Previous lectures can be found on our YouTube channel:    / @theinternationalcouncilofo2460  .

If you are interested in ICOS membership, please see the details here: https://icosweb.net/membership/member....

For updates and scholarly engagement, connect with us on any of our platforms:

YOUTUBE    / @theinternationalcouncilofo2460  

LINKEDIN   / 4081415  

FACEBOOK   / icosweb  

X https://x.com/ICOSnews