The latest issue of the journal Names offers a fascinating exploration of the significance of names across diverse fields and cultures. With cutting-edge research articles and insightful book reviews, this edition provides fresh perspectives on how names influence identity, reflect ideology, and even shape careers.
Featured Articles
1. The Role of Names in Career Success
- "Examining the Association Between Name Characteristics and Academic Career Success of UK Neurologists"
By Marianna E. Kapsetaki and Laetisha Witoyo
This study delves into whether the characteristics of a name, such as its length, distinctiveness, or perceived ethnicity, correlate with academic career success among UK neurologists. The authors present intriguing findings on how names might subtly influence professional recognition in the medical field.
2. Religious Identity in Tiv Personal Names
- "Name This Child: Religious Identity and Ideology in Tiv Personal Names"
By Eyo O. Mensah
This article explores how the Tiv people of Nigeria use personal names to express religious beliefs and ideological positions. It highlights the interplay between tradition and modernity, revealing how names serve as markers of identity and cultural continuity.
3. Tibetan Toponymy in National Parks
- "What's in a Tibetan Name? Toponymic Opacity along the Bird River in Sanjiangyuan National Park, China"
By Thupten Wodzer
This piece examines the linguistic and cultural layers behind Tibetan place names in Sanjiangyuan National Park. The "opacity" of these names—how their meanings are obscured to outsiders—raises important questions about cultural preservation and interpretation in protected areas.
4. The Evolution of Trade Names for Sleeping Pills
- "From Veronal to Quviviq: A Lexicological Analysis of Trade Names for Prescription Sleeping Pills from 1903 to 2022"
By Pascaline Faure
Spanning over a century, this lexicological analysis traces the evolution of trade names for sleeping pills. It reveals the marketing strategies, linguistic trends, and cultural shifts that have shaped how these products are named and perceived.
5. Hutong Names in Kaifeng
- "Names of Hutong in Kaifeng: A Linguistic Perspective"
By Shuxia Yang, Bing Mei, Hongyu Xu, Ying Wei, and Peipei Xiong
This article provides a linguistic analysis of the names of hutongs (narrow streets or alleys) in Kaifeng, China. It explores how these names encapsulate historical, social, and cultural narratives, offering insights into the city's evolving urban identity.
Book Reviews
1. Names, Naming, and the Law
By Susan J. Behrens
This review examines the legal dimensions of naming, exploring how names intersect with identity, bureaucracy, and societal norms. The book highlights the tensions between personal freedom and legal restrictions when it comes to names.
2. The Wordhord
By Charlotte Schwennsen
This review celebrates a linguistic treasure trove of old English words, shedding light on the rich history of naming and language evolution. A must-read for enthusiasts of historical linguistics and onomastics.
Themes and Insights
This issue of Names underscores the multifaceted nature of naming practices. From academic success and religious ideology to linguistic opacity and marketing strategies, names emerge as powerful tools for communication and identity formation. Whether they appear in professional contexts, cultural traditions, or urban landscapes, names reflect the complex interplay of history, culture, and personal meaning.
Why You Should Read This Issue
If you’re fascinated by the power of names to shape and reflect human experience, this issue offers an engaging and diverse collection of research. It is a testament to the importance of onomastics in understanding society and the ways we relate to each other and the world.
Explore the latest issue of Names and discover the stories behind the names that shape our lives!
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