Celebrating 20 Years of 'Voprosy Onomastiki': A Milestone in Onomastic Research

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The world of onomastics has witnessed remarkable growth over the past two decades, much of which has been shaped by the influential academic journal Voprosy Onomastiki (Problems of Onomastics). In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Ural Federal University (UrFU), in collaboration with the Vinogradov Institute of the Russian Language (Russian Academy of Sciences), is hosting a special roundtable event on February 3–4, 2025.

An Event for Scholars and Enthusiasts

This hybrid event will take place both in-person at Ural Federal University (Ekaterinburg, Russia) and online, providing a platform for scholars to discuss the evolution of onomastic studies over the last 25 years and the role Voprosy Onomastiki has played in shaping the field.

The opening session on February 3 will feature welcoming remarks from distinguished academics, including:

• A. M. Moldovan, Academician of RAS (Vinogradov Institute of the Russian Language, RAS)

• S. M. Tolstaya, Academician of RAS (Institute of Slavic Studies, RAS)

• D. V. Bugrov, First Vice-Rector (UrFU)

• A. V. Germanenko, Vice-Rector for Research (UrFU)

• A. V. Podchinenov, Director of UrFU Publishing House

• M. E. Rut, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Voprosy Onomastiki

Key Research Presentations

A series of academic presentations will follow, covering various aspects of onomastics:

February 3 (In-Person & Online)

• E. L. Berezovich & D. V. Spiridonov (UrFU): The journal Voprosy Onomastiki and new horizons in onomastic research.

• V. V. Napolskikh (Institute of History and Archaeology, Ural Branch of RAS): Finno-Ugric ethnonymy: Past and present perspectives.

• N. V. Kabinina (UrFU): The toponymy of the White Sea region.

• A. A. Bakhtereva (UrFU, Vinogradov Institute of the Russian Language, RAS): Geospatial identification methods for toponymic data and their applications.

• V. S. Kuchko & O. D. Surikova (UrFU, Institute of Slavic Studies, RAS): Mapping chrononyms: Possibilities and prospects.

• M. V. Golomidova (UrFU): Urbanonymic landscapes and their study.

• S. O. Goryaev (UrFU): The role of advertising names in Voprosy Onomastiki.

February 4 (Online Only)

• N. V. Vasilyeva (Institute of Linguistics, RAS): The term onym and its evolution: 20 years of onomastic terminology.

• I. I. Mullonen (Institute of Language, Literature, and History, Karelian Research Center, RAS): Local toponymic systems as an object of study.

• V. I. Suprun (Volgograd State Socio-Pedagogical University): Prospects and challenges in corpus-based onomastics.

• A. V. Saveliev (Institute of Linguistics, RAS) & R. I. Idrisov (Independent Researcher): Toponymic databases and the future of humanities research from a historical linguistic perspective.

• F. B. Uspensky (Vinogradov Institute of the Russian Language, RAS) & A. F. Litvina (HSE University): Naming traditions in pre-Petrine Russia.

• Yu. A. Dzidsoity (South Ossetian University): Toponymy as a source for ethnic history.

• V. L. Vasilyev (Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University, Vinogradov Institute of the Russian Language, RAS): Structural-derivational analysis of hydronyms.

• Open Discussion Session

Participation Details

The roundtable will be held on:

• February 3, 2025 (Hybrid: In-Person at UrFU, Ekaterinburg, and Online)

• February 4, 2025 (Online Only)

The in-person sessions will take place at Room 248, Ural Federal University, Lenina 51, Ekaterinburg, starting at 12:00 (Ekaterinburg time) / 10:00 (Moscow time).

For online participation, attendees can request a connection link by contacting Anna Gregoriovna Flores at flore-anna@yandex.ru.

Why Attend?

This roundtable is a rare opportunity for scholars and researchers interested in name studies, linguistics, and cultural history to engage in discussions with leading experts in the field. With presentations covering a wide range of topics—from theoretical aspects of name classification to practical applications in cartography and digital databases—the event promises to offer deep insights into the state of onomastic research today.

Whether you are a seasoned researcher or new to the field, Voprosy Onomastiki's 20th-anniversary event will be a thought-provoking and inspiring gathering. Don't miss this chance to be part of an important academic milestone!

3–4 февраля 2025 года Уральский федеральный университет совместно с Институтом русского языка им. В. В. Виноградова РАН проводит круглый стол, посвященный 20-летию международного журнала «Вопросы ономастики».

Будут обсуждаться вопросы состояния и развития ономастических исследований в последние 25 лет и роль журнала в этих процессах.

Круглый стол пройдет 3 февраля очно (Екатеринбург, Уральский университет) и онлайн; 4 февраля – онлайн.

Ссылку для онлайн-подключения можно получить у Анны Грегориовны Флорес по адресу flore-anna@yandex.ru

Уральский университет (Екатеринбург) – ИРЯ РАН (Москва) 

3–4 февраля 2025 г. 

3 февраля, 12.00 (Екб.) = 10.00 (Мск). 

Ауд. 248 (Ленина, 51) 

ПРИВЕТСТВИЯ И ВСТУПИТЕЛЬНЫЕ СЛОВА А. М. Молдован, академик РАН (Ин-т русского языка им. В.В. Виноградова РАН). Онлайн. 

С. М. Толстая, академик РАН (Ин-т славяноведения РАН). Онлайн. 

Д. В. Бугров, первый проректор (Урал. федер. ун-т). 

А. В. Германенко, проректор по науке (Урал. федер. ун-т). 

А. В. Подчиненов, директор Издательства Уральского университета, руководитель проекта «Издательство международных научных журналов УрФУ» (Урал. федер. ун-т). 

М. Э. Рут, зам. главного журнала редактора «Вопросы ономастики» (Урал. федер. ун-т).

ДОКЛАДЫ 

Е. Л. Березович, Д. В. Спиридонов (Урал. федер. ун-т). Журнал «Вопросы ономастики» и горизонты ономастических исследований. 

Кофе-брейк (каб. 306) 

В. В. Напольских (Ин-т истории и археологии УрО РАН). Финно-угорская этнонимия вчера и сегодня: общие и конкретные решения, случайность и системность. 

Н. В. Кабинина (Урал. федер. ун-т). Топонимическое изучение Беломорья. 

А. А. Бахтерева (Урал. федер. ун-т, Ин-т русского языка им. В.В. Виноградова РАН). Способы геопространственной идентификации топонимических данных и результаты их применения. 

В.С. Кучко (Урал. федер. ун-т, Ин-т славяноведения РАН), О. Д. Сурикова (Урал. федер. ун-т, Ин-т русского языка им. В.В. Виноградова РАН). Картографирование хрононимии: возможности и перспективы. 

М. В. Голомидова (Урал. федер. ун-т). Урбанонимические ландшафты и аспекты их изучения. 

С. О. Горяев (Урал. федер. ун-т). Рекламное имя в «Вопросах ономастики». 

4 февраля, 12.00 (Екб.) = 10.00 (Мск) 

Онлайн Н. В. Васильева (Ин-т языкознания РАН). Термин оним и его окружение: ономастическая терминология 20 лет спустя. 

И. И. Муллонен (Ин-т языка, литературы и истории Карельского НЦ РАН). Локальная топонимическая система как объект исследования.

В. И. Супрун (Волгоград. гос. соц.-пед. ун-т). Перспективы и проблемы корпусной ономастики. 

А. В. Савельев (Ин-т языкознания РАН), Р. И. Идрисов (независимый исследователь). Топонимические базы данных и судьбы гуманитарных исследований: взгляд со стороны исторической лингвистики. 

Кофе-брейк 

Ф. Б. Успенский (Ин-т русского языка им. В. В. Виноградова РАН), Литвина А.Ф. (НИУ ВШЭ). Именины в допетровской Руси. 

Ю.А. Дзиццойты (Юго-Осетинский ун-т). Топонимия как источник по этнической истории. 

В. Л. Васильев (Новгород. гос. ун-т им. Ярослава Мудрого, Ин-т русского языка им. В.В.Виноградова РАН). Некоторые проблемы структурно-деривационного исследования гидронимии. 

Свободная дискуссия. 

Регламент доклада – 20 мин.

Warum sind jüdische Nachnamen oft so wohlklingend?

 

Die rechtliche Gleichstellung und die Entstehung jüdischer Familiennamen

Die Einführung fester Familiennamen für Juden in Mitteleuropa ist eng mit den Emanzipationsgesetzen des 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts verbunden. Diese Gesetze brachten Juden rechtliche Gleichstellung, verpflichteten sie jedoch auch dazu, feste Familiennamen zu führen. Die Möglichkeit, ihren Familiennamen selbst zu wählen, war für viele ein bedeutender Schritt – sowohl in rechtlicher als auch in gesellschaftlicher Hinsicht. Doch wie und warum entschieden sich viele Juden für bestimmte Namen? Ein Blick auf die historischen Hintergründe zeigt spannende Zusammenhänge.

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Empfehlungen und Inspirationen: Familiennamen in Preußen, Baden und Frankfurt

In Preußen empfahl der Staatsmann Freiherr vom Stein den Juden, unauffällige deutsche Namen wie Müller, Schmidt oder Weber anzunehmen. Die Absicht dahinter war, Assimilation zu fördern und die jüdische Identität weniger erkennbar zu machen. Andere Regionen gingen einen anderen Weg.

• Baden: Hier entschieden sich viele Juden für Ortsnamen wie Offenburger oder Karlsruher, die ihre Herkunft oder Verbindung zu einem bestimmten Ort widerspiegelten.
• Frankfurt: Eine besonders kreative Tradition entstand in Frankfurt am Main. Hier nannten sich viele jüdische Familien nach den Häusern, in denen sie lebten. So wurde die bekannte Familie Rothschild nach dem "Haus zum roten Schild" benannt.

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Die Zeit der Romantik: Naturschwärmerei und blumige Namen

Die Emanzipation der Juden fiel in die Epoche der Romantik, eine Zeit, in der Naturverehrung und -schwärmerei eine große Rolle spielten. Diese kulturellen Strömungen spiegelten sich auch in der Namenswahl wider. Viele jüdische Familien entschieden sich für klangvolle und poetische Naturnamen, die den Zeitgeist dieser Epoche aufgriffen. Beispiele wie Lilienthal, Blumenfeld und Rosenthal zeugen von dieser romantischen Inspiration.

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Parallelen in Schweden: Naturnamen und jüdische Identität

Interessanterweise gab es eine ähnliche Entwicklung in Schweden. Auch dort nahmen viele Juden in dieser Zeit ihre Familiennamen an und wählten häufig Namen, die von der Natur inspiriert waren. Beispiele wie Sjöstrand (Meeresufer) zeigen, dass die romantische Naturschwärmerei kein rein mitteleuropäisches Phänomen war, sondern auch in anderen Ländern Einfluss auf die Namenswahl jüdischer Familien hatte.

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Fazit: Familiennamen als Spiegel der Zeit und Kultur

Die Einführung jüdischer Familiennamen in Mitteleuropa war nicht nur eine gesetzliche Verpflichtung, sondern auch ein kultureller und persönlicher Akt. Die Wahl von Ortsnamen, Häusernamen oder romantischen Naturnamen zeigt, wie stark die damaligen gesellschaftlichen und kulturellen Strömungen die Namensgebung beeinflussten. Diese Namen erzählen bis heute Geschichten über die Integration, Anpassung und Kreativität jüdischer Familien in einer Zeit des Wandels und der Emanzipation.

Ob in Preußen, Baden, Frankfurt oder Schweden – die jüdischen Familiennamen sind ein faszinierendes Zeugnis der Verbindung von rechtlichen Vorgaben, kulturellen Einflüssen und individueller Identität.

Onomastik - Entstehung und Deutung unserer Familiennamen

DEN VORTRAG "Grundlagen der Onomastik (Namenskunde) - Entstehung und Deutung unserer Familiennamen" hielt Dr. Gerd-Christian Treutler am 23.01.2025 im Rahmen einer Online-Veranstaltung der Schleswig-Holsteinischen Familienforschung e.V.

The Gulf of Mexico officially renamed the 'Gulf of America'

Programme of the 5th Czech Onomastic Conference

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The 5th Czech Onomastic Conference, set to take place from April 7–10, 2025, at the University of Prague, promises to be an exciting gathering for researchers, linguists, and enthusiasts in the field of onomastics. With a rich and diverse program, this international event will explore names and naming systems from historical, cultural, and linguistic perspectives.

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Structure of the Conference

The conference is organized into multiple thematic sessions, featuring a variety of presentations by scholars from across Europe and beyond. Each day offers plenary lectures, parallel sessions, and opportunities for discussions and networking. Here's a brief overview:

1. Plenary Lectures
   The event will open with a plenary lecture by Christian Zschieschang on "Onomastics and interdisciplinarity: Practical experiences and theoretical positions." Another keynote by Katalin Reszegi will delve into the "Polysemy and synonymy of proper names from a cognitive perspective." These lectures set the tone for the interdisciplinary and innovative discussions that follow.

2. Thematic Sessions
   The sessions are divided into focused topics such as:

   • Onomastics and orthography
   • Name policy and politics
   • Jewish anthroponyms
   • Urban and rural toponyms
   • Onomastics and sociolinguistics
   • Names in literature, poetry, and translation
   • Commercial names and their cultural impact
   • Dialectology and its influence on naming conventions

3. Special Highlights

   • The influence of Cyrillic and Latin scripts on names in Central and Eastern Europe.
   • Decommunization processes in Ukraine and their impact on place names.
   • Socio-onomastic research on Jewish anthroponyms and multilingual influences in borderlands.
   • Innovative discussions on names in digital spaces and urban toponyms.

4. Languages of Presentations
   Presentations will be delivered in Czech, Slovak, Polish, English, and other regional languages, reflecting the event's diverse and international nature. This multilingual approach ensures inclusivity and accessibility for a wide range of participants.

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Diverse Research Topics

The conference covers a vast array of research topics, including:

• Historical and cultural perspectives: Exploring the origins and motivations behind historical place names and surnames.
• Linguistic dynamics: Addressing phonetics, orthography, and dialectology in naming practices.
• Interdisciplinary approaches: Examining the intersections of onomastics with law, politics, media, and cognitive sciences.
• Urban and rural contrasts: Understanding naming trends in cities and countryside settings.

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Interactive Opportunities

The conference is not just about listening - it also features:

• Excursions and networking: Scheduled excursions on April 8th provide a chance to explore the local cultural heritage and connect with other attendees.
• Poster sessions: A platform for early-career researchers and graduate students to showcase their work and gain feedback.

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Conclusion

The 5th Czech Onomastic Conference is a must-attend event for anyone interested in the study of names and naming systems. With its interdisciplinary focus, international lineup, and diverse topics, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and foster collaborations in the onomastic community.

Whether you’re an academic, a student, or simply curious about the world of names, this conference promises to be an intellectually enriching experience.

Why Are Thai Names So Shocking to Some People?

0:00 Thai name 0:35 Thai names' history 1:02 Bangkok's real name 1:45 Meaning of Thai names 2:17 Thai Nicknames 4:13 Order in Thai names 4:47 Fun Facts about Thai names Ever wondered why Thai names can be super long AND short at the same time? In this video, we'll unpack the fun world of Thai names and dive into some amazing Thai culture! From mega-long formal names to super cute nicknames, we'll show you why this unique part of the Thai language is so special. Whether you're just curious or seriously want to learn Thai, this video is packed with cool insights that'll help you understand Thailand better. Ready to take your Thai language journey to the next level? Grab the Ling app and start to learn Thai today - it's easier than you think!

Cultural Onomastics: Insights from the XXIII International and National Onomastic Conference

 The latest publication from the XXIII International and National Onomastic Conference, Onomastyka kulturowa (Cultural Onomastics), delves into the fascinating interplay of language, culture, and society through the lens of onomastics. Held from October 19–21, 2023, at the University of Opole, this conference brought together researchers to explore both traditional and emerging perspectives on naming practices.

The resulting monograph, edited by Danuta Lech-Kirstein and Anna Tabisz, reflects the interdisciplinary spirit of contemporary onomastic research. It spans a wide array of themes, from the theoretical and methodological aspects of name studies to their practical applications in education, cultural history, and beyond.

What’s Inside?

The book is divided into four main sections:

1. Interdisciplinary Connections in Onomastics:

   • This section highlights the intersections between onomastics and other disciplines, including education, theology, law, and literature. Artur Gałkowski’s article introduces the concept of "onomastic competence," emphasizing the role of proper names in language education. Meanwhile, Ewa Zmuda explores theological tools for onomastic research, and Mariusz Rutkowski addresses the legal dimensions of naming streets in Poland.

2. Anthroponyms in Multicultural Contexts:

   • Researchers examine the sociocultural and historical dynamics of personal names. Łukasz Trzeciak, for instance, investigates the Armenian roots of Polish surnames, while Klaudia Abucewicz explores the religious motivations behind 18th- and 19th-century naming conventions in the multicultural parish of Stare Troki.

3. Polish and Foreign Chrematonyms:

   • This section examines the names of places, businesses, and products. Highlights include Anna Małgorzata Szczęsny’s study on translating religious building names in Polish and Russian contexts and Julia Piotrowska’s analysis of Polish startup names, providing insights into branding strategies.

4. Onomastic Projects and Syntheses:

   • The final section showcases collaborative efforts and innovative approaches in the field. From documenting Lower Sorbian names to revisiting Slavic onomastic terminology, these articles demonstrate how onomastics can enrich cultural heritage studies.

Key Themes and Innovations

The book emphasizes the cultural relevance of names as mirrors of societal changes. It adopts an open, interdisciplinary approach, engaging with new ideologies, methodologies, and technologies. The editors note the inclusion of articles on emerging topics, such as the influence of cancel culture on literary names and the sociolinguistic analysis of drag queen pseudonyms.

A Tribute to Collaborative Research

The editors, in their opening message, express gratitude to the contributors and reviewers for their dedication and scholarly rigor. They hope this monograph will inspire further research in Polish and Slavic onomastics, expanding the field’s theoretical and practical horizons.

Why Read This Book?

Whether you’re a linguist, historian, educator, or simply fascinated by the stories behind names, Cultural Onomastics offers a rich tapestry of insights. It captures the diversity and depth of onomastic studies today, making it an invaluable resource for academics and enthusiasts alike.

Place names and their contribution to climate action

Aengus Ó Fionnagáin: An ról atá ag logainmneacha sa ghníomhaíocht aeráide Is léachtóir le Teanga agus Litríocht na Gaeilge in Ollscoil Luimnigh é Aengus Ó Fionnagáin. San fhíseán seo, labhraíonn sé faoina chuid oibre le pobail éagsúla agus an nasc a mbíonn acu leis na logainmneacha áitiúla timpeall orthu. Comhrá i nGaeilge le fotheidil Bhéarla Aengus Ó Fionnagáin: Place names and their contribution to climate action Aengus Ó Fionnagáin is a lecturer in Irish Language and Literature in the University of Limerick. In this video he discusses his work with communities and their connection to place names. Conversation in Irish with English subtitles https://www.thevillage.ie

Discover "Estudos de Onomástica Galega IX: Os outros nomes"

The latest addition to the Estudos de Onomástica Galega series, Os outros nomes, delves into the fascinating realm of names beyond people (anthroponyms) and places (toponyms). This volume, based on the IX Xornada de Onomástica, explores how objects, entities, and creations are named in the Galician language, showcasing the diversity of naming strategies.

Key Themes

The book is divided into three sections:

1. "We name what we investigate": Examines scientific naming, including names like the star Rosalía and artificial intelligence voices.
2. "We name what we create": Focuses on creative naming, such as Galician pandeireteiras (music groups) and fanzine titles.
3. "We name what we love": Explores contemporary naming practices for pets through a didactic lens.

Highlights

From celestial naming in Os nomes do Ceo by Martin Pawley to historical reflections in Soult e os odios galaicos by Antón Palacio Sánchez, each chapter provides unique insights into the cultural significance of names.

This publication is a must-read for linguists, educators, and anyone interested in how language shapes our understanding of the world. Access the chapters through the Deputación de Pontevedra website and explore the richness of Galician onomastics.

A onomástica é um campo fascinante que vai além dos nomes de pessoas (antropônimos) e lugares (topônimos). A mais recente publicação da série Estudos de Onomástica Galega IX, intitulada Os outros nomes, nos convida a explorar um território pouco investigado: os nomes que atribuímos a objetos, entidades e até mesmo criações humanas.

Um olhar inovador sobre a onomástica

Esta publicação reúne o conteúdo da IX Xornada de Onomástica, organizada com o objetivo de abrir caminhos inovadores na língua galega e destacar a diversidade de estratégias de nomeação. Dividido em três seções principais, o livro aborda diferentes dimensões da prática de nomear:

1. "Nomeamos o que investigamos"
   Nomes em campos científicos são analisados em profundidade, com destaque para casos como a víbora de Seoane e a estrela Rosalía (Os nomes do asombro por Xurxo Mariño Alfonso). Outro exemplo interessante é o capítulo Nomeando a IA, que explora como damos nomes a vozes artificiais, uma questão de grande relevância na era digital.

2. "Nomeamos o que creamos"
   Esta seção mergulha na criatividade dos nomes atribuídos a grupos culturais e artísticos, como os grupos de pandeireteiras na Galícia (Viva o noso bandiño! por Noemi Basanta Llanes) e títulos de fanzines galegos desde 1990 (A onomástica das marxes por Ramón Mariño Fernández).

3. "Nomeamos o que amamos"
   Uma abordagem didática sobre os nomes de mascotes mostra como as crianças galegas atribuem nomes a seus animais de estimação (Amigos entrañables por Anxos García Fonte), revelando tendências contemporâneas e valores culturais.

Uma riqueza de capítulos fascinantes

Cada capítulo oferece um mergulho profundo em um aspecto único da onomástica. Por exemplo, Martin Pawley investiga os nomes atribuídos a corpos celestes em Os nomes do Ceo, enquanto Antón Palacio Sánchez reflete sobre memórias históricas e emoções em Soult e os odios galaicos.

Os debates também desempenham um papel fundamental na obra, com colóquios entre os autores que ampliam a compreensão e o impacto dos temas discutidos.

Por que ler esta obra?

Estudos de Onomástica Galega IX: Os outros nomes é mais do que uma coletânea de pesquisas; é um convite para repensar como nomeamos o mundo ao nosso redor. Seja você um linguista, educador, ou apenas curioso sobre a relação entre língua e identidade, esta publicação oferece uma leitura rica e envolvente.

Para acessar os capítulos, visite o site da Deputación de Pontevedra ou consulte os links DOI fornecidos na obra. Não perca esta oportunidade de explorar a riqueza da onomástica galega!

CfP: 8th International Symposium on Place Names 2025

 
Eighth International Symposium on Place Names 2025 (ISPN 2025)

Theme: Harmonising Toponymic Heritage: Balancing Standardisation and Local Diversity
Dates: 26–29 November 2025
Location: Clarens, South Africa (face-to-face event)
Submission Deadline: 4 April 2025
Contact Email: kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za

The Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies at the University of the Free State (RSA), in collaboration with the Joint ICA/IGU Commission on Toponymy and the ICOS Working Group on Toponymy, is excited to announce the Eighth International Symposium on Place Names (ISPN 2025).

Place names play a vital role in linking people and places, serving both as geospatial markers and as cultural heritage artefacts. However, the tension between standardisation for clarity and the preservation of local diversity presents significant challenges in toponymic management. This symposium invites scholars and practitioners to explore these challenges and share insights on harmonising toponymic heritage.

Call for Papers

We welcome contributions addressing the symposium’s theme and the following subtopics (but not limited to):

• Recognition beyond standardisation, particularly for indigenous and minority place names.
• Best practices for standardisation, management, and research of multilingual and multicultural toponymy.
• Approaches to representing place-name diversity on maps and in textual formats.
• Strategies for harmonising toponymic heritage in multilingual societies.
• Administrative, commercial, cultural, and historical dimensions of place names.
• Diversity in place names resulting from various socio-linguistic and cultural influences.
• Political, economic, and linguistic perspectives on place-name management.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts of 250 words should be submitted via email to Dr. Chrismi Loth at kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za by 4 April 2025. Submissions must include:

• Title of the proposed paper.
• Author(s) name(s) and affiliation(s).
• Contact details.

All sessions will be plenary, allowing for in-depth discussion and engagement. Papers with a focus on minority and indigenous place names, including sign languages, are especially encouraged.

Join Us

This symposium offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on balancing standardisation with the rich diversity of toponymic heritage. For additional information, please contact Dr. Chrismi Loth at kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za.

We look forward to welcoming you to Clarens, South Africa, in November 2025!

CfP: International Conference “Naming, Renaming: the Power of the Name in English-Speaking Cultures and Literature”

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November 13 & 14, 2025 

Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 

Naming is an act that first echoes Saussure's question of the arbitrary nature of the linguistic sign (does a sign have meaning in itself or does it only designate a referent?), but also questions the performative power of language. If one can do things with words (Austin, 1962), then naming a place, a person, a community, an accent, an ethnic, political or social group contributes to granting it a linguistic reality and recognizing its extralinguistic existence. Paradoxically, naming or renaming shapes and orders the way we perceive the world, but it also entails exclusionary mechanisms (Bourdieu, 1980). Thus, the original act of naming constitutes a form of violence that imposes boundaries and attempts to define identities that are by nature fluid and multilayered (Derrida, 1987-1993; Bhatia, 2005), and the act of renaming can lessen or heighten this violence. These observations will lead us to consider several approaches.

Papers related to onomastics will be welcome; studies on the subject (Hough, 2016) examine the meaning and motive behind proper names, whether in toponomastics (place names), anthroponymy (personal names) or socio-onomastics (studies of proper names in social context). Sociology and history are also interested in the meanings and evolution of names of places, particularly in public spaces (Mask, 2020a). For instance, the Black Lives Matter movement has revived debates around these names, both in the United Kingdom and in the United States (Mask, 2020b). 

From an applied linguistics perspective, attention could be paid to the coexistence of several signs for the same referent, such as a human referent in a sociocultural and interactional approach (coexistence of first and/or last names, nicknames, or even insults). We could also consider the creation, evolution, integration mechanisms and role of lexical or semantic euphemistic neologisms in language, as related to the concept of euphemism treadmill (Allan and Burridge, 2006).

Submissions in the field of English for Specific Purposes could focus on the terminology used to name objects, concepts and notions in a specific field, as well as the translation of these new terminological units. Moreover, researchers label and name certain concepts, behaviours or sociological and historical phenomena, which some political movements appropriate, hijack and distort in order to demonize them (critical race theory, intersectionality...) (May, 2014; Ray, 2022). This relationship between academia and political discourse is worth studying.

Sociologists analyse the evolution of identity markers (racial and gender categories, etc.). These names or labels (Becker, 1966) can be assigned, adopted, claimed and/or undergo a semantic shift: these changes reveal transformations in power dynamics and the acceptability of “deviant” behavior (Goffman, 1963). Naming can also reflect the agency of dominated people and groups; it can constitute a choice and a statement about the way they want to present themselves and be perceived. A choice as personal as identity markers (first and last name) can be a political act (Almack, 2005; Boxer, 2005; Benson, 2006; Edwards and Caballero, 2008; Patterson and Farr, 2017). It can also be a matter of reclaiming a term historically used as an insult in a perspective of self-affirmation and empowerment (Rand, 2014). In healthcare studies, presentations could examine the way “pathologies” and “disordered” are named and considered over time— those labels may be questioned or not by those they refer to, as is the case for addiction and trans identities among others (Stroumsa, 2014; Castro-Peraza et al., 2019). 

Naming practices are also examined in literature, as authors have often explored the subtleties of identity and questioned the role of names in its construction. While names reflect character traits, histories and symbolic meanings, the process of (re)naming often implies the transformation or rejection of identities, as a result of personal or cultural struggles. The way characters grapple with their names reflects their journey of self-discovery, resistance or acceptance in the text. Literature thus reveals the act of naming as a complex, unstable process that resists definitive closure, between the desire for a fixed meaning and the reality of inherent fluidity or multiplicity. Through naming, we can open a debate on how readers are invited to explore the complex layers of meaning in a text, questioning and redefining notions of self, identity, society and reality. This exploration also raises the question of what is not named, of what is at stake in silence, or even silencing. This can be unveiled through stylistic and narratological choices, thus the choice to refuse or deny a name becomes central in the interpretative process.

Among the possible avenues of inquiry, we will consider papers that fall under the following themes: 

➢ Naming, renaming people, characters and places: naming practices in immigrant communities and by transgender people; choice of family names, in particular in LGBTQ+ families; naming in the context of slavery; influence of religion on naming practices (parents, conversion...); (mis)pronunciation of foreign names; naming of communities; activism around names in public space: cities, schools, streets; onomastic and narrative analysis. 

➢ Reclaiming names: reclaiming “insults” as a way of asserting an identity (queer, N-word, tranny…); political use or exploitation of scientific terms or concepts (freedom, critical race theory, intersectionality, etc.). 

➢ Power dynamics at work in naming processes: who has the power to (re)name? What are the political, symbolic consequences of naming people and groups? Which factors influence the choice of a name? Renaming in order to politically demonize? 

➢ Naming as classification: (re)defining literary and cinematographic genres; evolution of names for “medical disorder” between pathologization or empowerment; classifying acts and practices in order to forbid or punish them more or less severely (war on terror, war on drugs, “obscenity”…) 

Proposals of around 500 words in English or in French accompanied by a short biography should be sent to namingconference@gmail.com before March 25th, 2025. We will consider proposals analysing any English-speaking country, or adopting a comparative approach. All approaches to the subject are welcome: historical, judicial, sociological, political, cultural (literary, artistic, cinematographic…), economic. We welcome proposals from experienced researchers, doctoral and other graduate students. 

Feiern Sie 25 Jahre Flurnamenforschung in Thüringen – Einladung zur Jubiläumstagung

 

Am 14. Februar 2025 lädt die Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena zu einem besonderen Ereignis ein: Die Jubiläumstagung „25 Jahre Flurnamenforschung in Thüringen“ feiert ein Vierteljahrhundert engagierter Arbeit zur Dokumentation und Erforschung von Flurnamen. Dieses einmalige Event, das im historischen Ambiente der Rosensäle in Jena stattfindet, bringt Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler, Bürgerforschende und Interessierte zusammen, um die Bedeutung der Flurnamen als immaterielles Kulturerbe zu würdigen.

Ein Tag voller spannender Einblicke
Das reichhaltige Programm der Tagung umfasst Vorträge renommierter Expertinnen und Experten aus dem gesamten deutschsprachigen Raum. Die Themen reichen von digitalen Plattformen für Orts- und Flurnamen, wie ortsnamen.ch, bis hin zu Projekten, die sich mit der Mehrsprachigkeit und Heterogenität von Flurnamen beschäftigen. Besonders interessant sind Beiträge, die Flurnamen in Bezug auf ökologische Geschichte, kulturelle Identität und Heimatforschung beleuchten. Ein öffentlicher Abendvortrag von Prof. Dr. Jürgen Udolph zur Ortsnamenlandschaft Thüringens bildet den krönenden Abschluss des Tages.

Eine Feier des bürgerschaftlichen Engagements
Das Projekt „Flurnamen und Regionalgeschichte“ hat seit seiner Gründung im Jahr 1999 durch den Heimatbund Thüringen e.V. über 42.000 Flurnamen gesammelt. Diese Namen sind nicht nur wissenschaftliche Daten, sondern Spiegel der Geschichte, der Natur und der Menschen Thüringens. Ihre Aufnahme in die Landesliste des immateriellen Kulturerbes 2024 unterstreicht ihre kulturelle und historische Relevanz.

Seien Sie dabei!
Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos, eine Anmeldung bis zum 31. Januar 2025 jedoch erforderlich. Melden Sie sich per E-Mail (flurnamen@uni-jena.de), postalisch oder online an. Lassen Sie sich dieses Event nicht entgehen – ein Tag, der zeigt, wie Flurnamen unsere Vergangenheit lebendig halten und unser kulturelles Erbe stärken.

Flurnamen erzählen Geschichten – kommen Sie und erleben Sie sie selbst!

Gestionnaire de projets scientifiques avec les compétences en odonymie, toponymie et onomastique parisiennes

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Un poste captivant dans le domaine des archives, combinant recherche scientifique et
valorisation du patrimoine historique, est actuellement proposé aux Archives nationales de France. En tant que Gestionnaire de projets scientifiques au sein de la Direction des patrimoines et de l’architecture, ce rôle offre une plongée dans l’univers des noms propres et des lieux, mêlant histoire, linguistique et archivistique.

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L’importance de l'odonymie, toponymie et onomastique parisiennes

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Les missions clés liées à l’onomastique et à la toponymie

Au cœur des responsabilités du gestionnaire de projets scientifiques, plusieurs missions touchent directement à l’onomastique et à la toponymie :

• Analyse et enrichissement des instruments de recherche : Par exemple, le traitement des archives notariales des XVIIIᵉ et XIXᵉ siècles permet de révéler des odonymes et des toponymes oubliés, ancrés dans l’histoire locale.
• Valorisation scientifique : Identifier et présenter des documents uniques, tels que des registres historiques mentionnant des noms de rues ou des lieux emblématiques, pour les mettre en lumière auprès d’un large public.
• Normalisation et indexation : Collaborer à l’évolution des normes archivistiques, notamment dans la description et l’organisation des données liées aux noms propres et lieux, tout en utilisant des outils comme l’XML-EAD.
• Formation et médiation : Sensibiliser le public, des étudiants aux chercheurs, à l’importance des noms propres et lieux dans la compréhension historique.

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Un rôle au service de la mémoire collective

Le gestionnaire aura la responsabilité de lier des disciplines anciennes comme la paléographie et l’histoire notariale aux exigences modernes de la structuration des données et de la médiation numérique. En explorant l’histoire des noms propres et lieux parisiens, ce poste permet de préserver et de diffuser la richesse de notre patrimoine culturel.

Ce rôle offre un équilibre unique entre recherche académique et projets pratiques :

• Rigueur scientifique : Maîtriser les normes ISAAR(CPF) et ISAD(G) et travailler sur des archives complexes.
• Technologies modernes : Intégrer des compétences en XML-EAD et en langages de requêtes pour structurer les données onomastiques.
• Médiation et valorisation : Partager les résultats des recherches avec des publics variés, contribuant ainsi à la transmission de la mémoire historique.

Pour ceux qui souhaitent associer leur passion pour l’onomastique et la toponymie à un rôle riche en défis scientifiques et pratiques, ce poste aux Archives nationales est une opportunité rare. Il ne s’agit pas seulement de gérer des projets, mais de contribuer à écrire l’histoire des noms et des lieux en France, en mettant en lumière leur rôle essentiel dans notre culture et notre identité.

Préserver l’Héritage Culturel : Conférence sur la Liste Onomastique de l’Angola à Uíge

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Cette semaine, la ville d’Uíge est le théâtre d’un événement majeur pour la préservation et la régulation des noms en Angola. Une conférence régionale sur la consultation publique de la liste onomastique angolaise a débuté ce lundi, organisée par la Délégation de Justice et Droits de l’Homme. Cette réunion, qui se tiendra jusqu’à vendredi, rassemble des fonctionnaires judiciaires des provinces d’Uíge, Malanje, Cuanza-Norte, Bengo et Zaïre.

Une Initiative Essentielle pour la Culture Angolaise

Lors de l'ouverture, Verónica Mbala Lima, déléguée pour la Justice et les Droits de l’Homme à Uíge, a souligné l’importance cruciale de cette initiative. Elle a décrit la liste onomastique angolaise comme un instrument essentiel pour cataloguer les transformations sociales et idéologiques, tout en préservant les noms historiques qui reflètent la riche culture du pays.

Les Défis liés à l’Attribution des Noms

Le consultant pour la liste onomastique, Lupene Almeida, a expliqué que cet outil vise à répondre aux nombreuses questions entourant l’attribution des noms propres. « Les parents souhaitent souvent donner un nom spécifique à leur enfant, mais ils se heurtent parfois à des restrictions imposées par les fonctionnaires de la délégation de la Justice », a-t-il déclaré.

La liste onomastique angolaise est ainsi conçue pour fournir des lignes directrices claires sur les noms admissibles ou inadmissibles, assurant une cohérence dans les pratiques tout en respectant les traditions culturelles.

Une Collaboration Régionale

Cet événement réunit des acteurs clés de plusieurs provinces, démontrant l’importance d’une collaboration nationale pour préserver et réguler les pratiques onomastiques. À travers des échanges et des consultations, cette conférence vise à harmoniser les efforts pour sauvegarder l’héritage culturel angolais tout en répondant aux défis modernes.

Vers une Préservation Durable

En mettant en lumière l’importance de noms propres dans l’identité individuelle et collective, cette conférence marque une étape importante dans la protection de la culture angolaise. L’initiative souligne également la nécessité d’équilibrer tradition et modernité, tout en offrant un cadre clair et inclusif pour l’attribution des noms.

L'événement se poursuit jusqu’à vendredi, avec l’ambition de poser des bases solides pour l’avenir de l’onomastique en Angola.

Découvrez le Voyage Fascinant dans l’Histoire des Noms de Lieux en France

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Si les noms de lieux vous intriguent, si vous vous êtes déjà demandé pourquoi votre ville, village, ou rivière porte son nom, alors le livre "Noms de lieux en France" (Origine et toponymie) de Stéphane Gendron, prévu pour publication en 2025, est fait pour vous.

Une exploration de la toponymie française

Les noms de lieux sont bien plus que de simples étiquettes géographiques : ils racontent une histoire, reflètent le milieu naturel, les activités humaines, et les populations qui ont façonné notre territoire à travers les siècles. La toponymie, cette discipline qui étudie les noms de lieux, nous permet de lever le voile sur ces récits cachés.

Stéphane Gendron propose dans cet ouvrage une analyse approfondie de l’origine et de la signification des toponymes français. À travers des exemples variés, il explique comment nos ancêtres nommaient leur environnement et ce que ces appellations révèlent sur leur mode de vie, leurs croyances, et leurs relations avec la nature.

Ce que vous apprendrez dans ce livre :

• Les origines linguistiques des noms de lieux en France : gallo-romaine, celtique, germanique, et autres.
• Les influences historiques sur la formation des toponymes, des invasions médiévales aux révolutions culturelles.
• Le rôle du milieu naturel dans la création des noms : rivières, montagnes, forêts, et plaines.
• Des anecdotes captivantes sur l'évolution des noms à travers les âges.

Pourquoi lire ce livre ?

Ce livre est une invitation à voir la France sous un nouvel angle. En plongeant dans ses pages, vous découvrirez comment nos toponymes sont les témoins vivants de notre passé commun. Que vous soyez passionné d’histoire, amateur de linguistique, ou simplement curieux de mieux comprendre les lieux qui vous entourent, ce livre vous offrira des clés uniques pour explorer la richesse culturelle et historique de la France.

Rendez-vous en 2025 pour découvrir "Noms de lieux en France" et embarquer dans un voyage fascinant à travers le temps et l’espace !

CfP: Symposium "Literary Worlds and the Impact of Names"

 Call for Papers for the Symposium "Literary Worlds and the Impact of Names"

This symposium will be held online (November 3–7, 2025) within INTERONOMA - Congresso Internacional de Onomástica. Abstracts proposals (250-300 words) should be sent as an email attachment to the symposium proponents - Luisa Caiazzo (luisa.caiazzo@unibas.it) and Grant Smith (gsmith@ewu.edu) - by 31 March 2025. Proposals can be sent in one of the following languages: English, Italian, and Spanish.

Names may have many functions in real life and affect both individuals and communities in virtue of their potential to take on personal and/or social meanings, depending on their contexts and co-texts of use. These multi-layered meanings are often transferred to literature as they are utilized by authors as a literary resource to represent social conflicts, evoke associations or invoke evaluative positioning. As pointed out by the French literary theorist Michel Grimaud (1989:19), the process of naming is “a deeply social, psychological, and linguistic act,” especially powerful in the literary universe, given the symbolic dimension often associated with names (Smith 2005, 2021). Papers accepted for this symposium will explore how the meaning potential of anthroponyms and toponyms is effectively harnessed to shape literary settings and/or thematic impact within specific works or by specific authors. 

Examples of themes that can be addressed include:

• names and gender identity

• names and minority groups

• names in generational conflicts

• names as markers of social identity

• toponyms choice/invention and their connotations

• toponyms and political/social conflicts

• toponyms as resistance

• toponyms and cultural heritage

Keywords: gender and social identity; toponymic resistance; naming and conflicts

Call for Papers for the American Name Society panel at the MLA Convention 2026

 ANS 

The American Name Society (ANS) invites you to dive into the compelling world of naming at the upcoming Modern Language Association (MLA) Convention, taking place from January 8–11, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This year’s thematic panel, "Onomastic Rhetoric: Acts of Naming in Real and/or Imagined Worlds", promises to be an intellectually rich exploration of the power and implications of naming. 

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Acts of Naming: Power and Possibility

Naming is more than just assigning labels—it is an act of power, shaping identities, histories, and perceptions. Whether naming people, places, or things, in reality or fiction, the act carries profound implications. This panel asks provocative questions, such as:

• Does accepting a name signify weakness?
• How do names transform when power dynamics shift?
• What acts of naming occur in liminal spaces between the real and the imagined?

Through these lenses, participants will explore anthroponyms (names of people), charactonyms (names of fictional characters), toponyms (place names), theonyms (names of divine beings), and more.

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Engaging Onomastic Scholarship

To frame their discussions, panelists are encouraged to draw on leading onomastic resources, including:

• NAMES: A Journal of Onomastics (Archives)
• Literary Onomastics by Dorothy Dodge Robbins (2023)
• Rhetorics of Names and Naming by Star Medzerian Vanguri (2016)
• The Oxford Handbook of Names and Naming (2018)

These works provide foundational insights into the rhetorical, cultural, and linguistic aspects of naming.

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Call for Proposals

Scholars interested in contributing are invited to submit proposals by 11:59 pm EST on March 17, 2025. Proposals should explore acts of naming in the real world and/or imagined worlds across any medium, era, or culture.

Submission Guidelines:

• Email Dr. Anne W. Anderson at awanderson.editing@gmail.com with the subject line “MLA 2026 proposal.”
• Include in the email body:
  • Proposal title and first line of the abstract
  • Full name(s), affiliation(s), and email address(es)
• Attach a PDF file with:
  • Proposal title
  • Abstract (up to 350 words)
  • Works cited list (exclude author identification for blind review)

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Important Dates:

• Proposal Deadline: March 17, 2025
• Notification of Results: March 27, 2025
• Membership Requirements: Contributors must hold memberships in both MLA and ANS, with MLA membership required by April 7, 2024.

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Why Attend?

The ANS panel at MLA 2026 offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the multifaceted power of naming. It’s a chance to connect with scholars from diverse fields, discover groundbreaking research, and contribute to the growing field of onomastics. Whether you’re an academic, a student, or simply fascinated by names, this panel is not to be missed.

For more information, visit the American Name Society or contact Dr. Anne W. Anderson at awanderson.editing@gmail.com. Mark your calendars and be part of this dynamic conversation in Toronto!

AIA Seminar Series: Perspectives on Children's Literature & Onomastics

Hosted by the University of Padua, this installment of the AIA Seminar Series features two distinguished scholars offering unique perspectives on English literary and linguistic studies. Laura Tosi (Ca' Foscari University of Venice) presents "Academic Self-Fashioning: Wearing Different Hats and Children's Literature", exploring the intersections of identity and literary scholarship. Mirko Casagranda (University of Calabria) discusses "Onomastics and Critical Discourse Studies", examining the role of names and naming within critical frameworks. Join us to gain valuable insights from their expertise and enrich your understanding of these fields of study. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe to our channel for more thought-provoking contents!

Die Enzyklopädie der Uttinger Straßennamen: Ein Fenster in die Geschichte

 Die Gemeinde Utting am Ammersee hat einen neuen kulturellen Schatz: die Enzyklopädie der Straßennamen, liebevoll und akribisch zusammengestellt von Ortschronist Claus Strobl. Mit seiner Broschüre „Von A – Z: Die Straßennamen in Utting a. A.“ hat Strobl in über 1.200 Stunden Recherchearbeit die Geschichten hinter den 111 Straßen, Wegen und Plätzen der Gemeinde ans Licht gebracht.

Eine Reise durch Uttings Vergangenheit

Von der Achselschwanger Straße bis zur Ludwigshöhe – Strobls Werk bietet nicht nur eine Orientierungshilfe, sondern auch einen kulturhistorischen Einblick in Uttings Vergangenheit. So erzählt beispielsweise die Brodmerkel-Straße die Geschichte des Ehepaars Roman und Emma Brodmerkel, die mit ihrer Stiftung bis heute Bedürftige unterstützen. Bürgermeister Florian Hoffmann bezeichnete das druckfrische Werk als „einen kulturgeschichtlichen Beitrag aus bislang unbeachteter Perspektive, informativ und spannend.“

Die Leidenschaft eines Ortschronisten

Claus Strobl, seit 2008 Wahl-Uttinger, entdeckte seine Liebe zur Heimatgeschichte, als er sich mit dem Namen seiner eigenen Straße, der Josef-Clemens-Straße, beschäftigte. Was zunächst als persönliches Interesse begann, entwickelte sich zu einem umfangreichen Non-Profit-Projekt, das in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Verein „Kulturlandschaft Ammersee-Lech“ als gedruckte Publikation realisiert wurde. Die Broschüre ist gegen eine Spende von 10 Euro erhältlich.

Geschichten hinter den Straßennamen

Strobls Forschung führte ihn in Archive, Bibliotheken und das Gemeindearchiv, wo er nicht nur bekannte Persönlichkeiten wie Bert Brecht und Thomas Mann berücksichtigte, sondern vor allem weniger bekannte Figuren wie den Pfarrer Ludwig oder den Unternehmer Johann Keller näher beleuchtete. Besonders spannend sind die historischen Anekdoten: So war die erste nachgewiesene Straße in Utting die Hasengasse (heute Hechenwanger Straße) im Jahr 1808. Auch die dunklen Kapitel der Geschichte fehlen nicht – etwa die Rückbenennung der Adolf-Hitler-Straße zur Bahnhofstraße im Jahr 1945.

Einblicke in die Onomastik

Mit seiner Arbeit hat Strobl auch die Onomastik, die wissenschaftliche Erforschung von Eigennamen, in den Fokus gerückt. Straßennamen spiegeln die Geschichte, Kultur und Werte einer Gemeinde wider – und Strobls Enzyklopädie ist ein beeindruckendes Beispiel dafür, wie lebendig Heimatgeschichte sein kann.

Ein Werk für alle

Die Enzyklopädie steht für jeden Interessierten zur Verfügung und ist mehr als nur ein Lexikon: Sie lädt ein, die Geschichten der eigenen Umgebung zu entdecken und sich mit der Identität des Ortes auseinanderzusetzen. Ein wahrhaft inspirierendes Projekt, das die Bedeutung von Ortschronistenarbeit eindrucksvoll verdeutlicht.

Onoma (Volume 59, 2024)

 Onoma 

The latest issue of Onoma (Volume 59, 2024) delves into American onomastics, presenting a diverse array of research articles that explore the intricate relationship between names and cultural identity across the Americas.

Introduction

Grant Smith provides an insightful introduction, setting the stage for the thematic focus on American onomastics.

Anthroponomastics

• "Attribuer des prénoms à Santiago de Cuba et à Tlalnepantla de Baz, au Mexique, en 1970 : convergences et divergences dans deux variantes de l’espagnol" by Yolanda Guillermina López Franco and Sonia Rosales Novoa.

  This study examines the naming conventions in Santiago de Cuba and Tlalnepantla de Baz, highlighting both similarities and differences in Spanish variants.

• "Categorizing personal names among Jews in the contemporary United States" by Sarah Bunin Benor and Alicia B. Chandler.

  The authors analyze the categorization of personal names within the contemporary Jewish community in the U.S., shedding light on cultural and religious influences.

• "Cross-cultural universals and differences in American and Russian nicknaming patterns" by Anna Tsepkova.

  This article explores the universal and divergent aspects of nicknaming practices in American and Russian cultures.

• "“I named myself after her”: Renaming strategies in a community of transgender women of the city of Lima, Peru" by Ernesto Cuba.

  Cuba investigates the renaming strategies employed by transgender women in Lima, Peru, emphasizing personal identity and societal factors.

• "The process of naming hearing individuals belonging to deaf communities using Brazilian Sign Language (Libras)" by Gabriele Cristine Rech and Fabíola Sucupira Ferreira Sell.

  This study delves into how hearing individuals within deaf communities are named using Libras, reflecting on cultural integration.

• "Influence of national cultural industry on the choice of first names in the western region of Paraná in Brazil" by Márcia Sipavicius Seide.

  Seide examines how Brazil's national cultural industry influences first-name choices in Paraná's western region.

Toponomastics

• "Toponyme in La Gran Sabana/Venezuela als Zeugen indigener Tradition, religiöser Missionstätigkeit und politischer Interessen – zwischen der Nationalsprache Spanisch und der indigenen Sprache Pemon" by Julia Kuhn and Rafael Eduardo Matos.

  The authors explore place names in La Gran Sabana, Venezuela, as reflections of indigenous traditions, religious missions, and political interests, balancing Spanish and Pemon languages.

• "A classification of Havana street names" by Adianys Collazo Allen.

  Allen provides a comprehensive classification of street names in Havana, offering insights into the city's historical and cultural landscape.

• "Research on toponymic nicknames of the states in the USA" by Aleksandra V. Urazmetova.

  This research delves into the toponymic nicknames of U.S. states, uncovering the stories and meanings behind these monikers.

Zoonomastics

• "Zoonymy in Brazilian Sign Language: A semantic-motivational analysis and taxonomic proposal to classify signs given to pets by the deaf" by Alexandre Melo de Sousa.

  De Sousa offers a semantic and motivational analysis of how pets are named in Brazilian Sign Language, proposing a classification system.

Ergonomastics

• "Renaming a baseball legacy: The Cleveland Guardians" by Christine De Vinne.

  De Vinne discusses the renaming of the Cleveland baseball team, exploring the implications and processes behind adopting the "Guardians" moniker.

Non-Themed Articles

• *"Prexaspes is the Ionic rendering of the Old Iranian Para.wakhsh.aspa" by Pīrōz Āzādān (Morad Peyravi).

  This article delves into the etymology of the name Prexaspes, tracing its roots to Old Iranian origins.

• "Dictionnaire et atlas : propriétés lexicales et sémantiques des urbanonymes en français" by Giuseppe Samo and Francesco-Alessio Ursini.

  The authors present a lexical and semantic analysis of French urbanonyms, contributing to the understanding of place-naming conventions.

• "The concept of the international database of onomastic terminology (ONOMTERM)" by Iveta Valentová, Milan Harvalík, and Artur Gałkowski.

  This paper introduces ONOMTERM, an international database aimed at standardizing onomastic terminology.

Review Articles

• "An English-Romanian explanatory dictionary of onomastic phrasemes" reviewed by Oliviu Felecan.

  Felecan reviews a dictionary that bridges English and Romanian onomastic expressions, highlighting its contributions to the field.

• "When Onomastics faces the Law: A Review of I.M. Nick (ed.), Names, naming, and the Law: Onomastics, identity, power, and policy" reviewed by Leo Loveday.

  Loveday provides insights into the intersection of onomastics and legal studies, as discussed in Nick's edited volume.

This comprehensive issue of Onoma offers valuable perspectives on the significance of names in cultural, social, and legal contexts across the Americas and beyond.

Onomástica desde América Latina (2025) Vol. 6(1)

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The latest issue of "Onomástica desde América Latina" presents a diverse collection of articles exploring the rich tapestry of onomastics across the Latin American region.

1. "Toponímia e identidade cultural: um estudo sobre os nomes de lugares no Brasil"

This article delves into the relationship between place names and cultural identity in Brazil, examining how toponyms reflect the nation's historical and social evolution.

2. "Antroponímia indígena no Peru: preservação e transformação"

The study focuses on indigenous personal names in Peru, analyzing the preservation of traditional naming practices amidst societal changes and external influences.

3. "Nomes comerciais na Argentina: estratégias de marketing e identidade corporativa"

This research investigates the use of commercial names in Argentina, highlighting how businesses employ naming strategies to establish brand identity and market presence.

4. "A influência da colonização espanhola na toponímia da América Central"

The article explores the impact of Spanish colonization on Central American place names, revealing the layers of historical and cultural significance embedded in the region's toponyms.

5. "Nomes de rua em Bogotá: memória histórica e dinâmica urbana"

This study examines street names in Bogotá, Colombia, discussing how they serve as markers of historical memory and reflect the city's urban dynamics.

Each article offers a unique perspective on the significance of names within Latin American societies, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region's linguistic and cultural landscapes.

Onomastique et Éducation : Les Secrets des Prénoms Révélés par le Projet Mentions

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Le sociologue Baptiste Coulmont a récemment lancé le site "Projet mentions" , une plateforme innovante qui explore la relation entre les prénoms des candidats au baccalauréat et leurs résultats. Ce projet met en lumière comment les prénoms, en tant que marqueurs sociaux, peuvent refléter des tendances sociologiques au sein du système éducatif français.

Analyse des Prénoms et Résultats au Baccalauréat

Le site permet aux utilisateurs d'entrer un prénom et d'obtenir une répartition statistique des mentions obtenues par les porteurs de ce prénom entre 2012 et 2020. Les données, anonymisées et collectées uniquement auprès des candidats ayant autorisé la diffusion de leurs résultats, offrent une perspective sur la manière dont certains prénoms sont associés à des performances académiques spécifiques.

Le Nuage des Prénoms

Une fonctionnalité notable du site est le "Nuage des prénoms", qui visualise la fréquence et la répartition des mentions pour les prénoms les plus courants. Cette représentation graphique permet de comparer rapidement les performances académiques associées à différents prénoms, révélant des tendances potentielles en matière de réussite scolaire.

Implications Sociologiques

Le "Projet mentions" s'inscrit dans une démarche sociologique plus large visant à comprendre comment les prénoms, en tant que catégories sociales, peuvent être des indicateurs de position sociale et de trajectoires éducatives. En explorant ces données, Baptiste Coulmont souligne que les prénoms ne déterminent pas les résultats, mais reflètent indirectement l'origine sociale des individus.

Utilité pour la Recherche et l'Enseignement

Cette plateforme offre un outil précieux pour les chercheurs en onomastique et en sociologie, ainsi que pour les éducateurs souhaitant comprendre les dynamiques sociales au sein du système éducatif. En fournissant des profils de prénoms, le site peut également être utilisé pour anonymiser ou pseudonymiser des enquêtes, garantissant ainsi la confidentialité des participants.

En somme, le "Projet mentions" de Baptiste Coulmont offre une exploration fascinante des pratiques de dénomination et de leurs implications sociales, enrichissant notre compréhension des liens complexes entre identité personnelle et parcours éducatif.