The 2026 NSSA Biennial Congress (Naming & Renaming in postcolonial context)

 The Names Society of Southern Africa (NSSA) held its 2026 Biennial Congress from 21 to 24 September 2026 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Organized in collaboration with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of the Witwatersrand, and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the congress has been a major scholarly gathering for researchers working on names and naming across disciplines.

Disparition progressive des toponymes occitans traditionnels

 

Ce court-métrage a été réalisé dans le village de Saint-André pour témoigner la réorganisation de l’adressage imposée par la loi 3DS. Dans les villages de moins de 2000 habitants des Vallées et Coteaux de Gascogne, cette loi oblige les communes à attribuer des noms de rues et des numéros aux habitations. Si cette mesure vise à améliorer les services publics, elle entraîne aussi la disparition progressive des toponymes occitans traditionnels.

Ces noms de lieux, profondément enracinés dans l’histoire locale, sont porteurs de mémoire, de liens sociaux et de savoirs écologiques. Ils témoignent d’un mode d’organisation du territoire hérité du système « à maison », où les noms des propriétés se transmettent de génération en génération.

Un film de Margot Donkervoort

Le rôle des anthroponymes incas dans la toponymie du Pérou

 

The lecture series Onomastics Online continued on 13 August 2026 with a lecture presented by Marc-Alexandre Beaulieu (Leiden University, The Netherlands) with the title "Le rôle des anthroponymes incas dans la toponymie du Péro". Mots-clés : Pérou, Inca, anthroponyme, toponyme, théonyme Résumé : À la suite d’une brève introduction sur une façon inédite de classer les noms propres et les noms communs, le conférencier abordera le rôle des anthroponymes incas dans la formation de toponymes péruviens au XVIe siècle, en prenant en considération la constatation que les peuples andins ne faisaient pas systématiquement de distinction entre ces deux catégories de noms. Une étude comparative sera par la suite effectuée par l’analyse des sens lexical et associatif de noms propres. À cette fin, la notion peu connue de transonymie sera abordée, ce qui permettra d’expliquer la « circulation » de tels noms entre diverses catégories onymiques. En ce sens, d’autres catégories de noms seront analysées, soit celles des théonymes, des ethnonymes, des zoonymes et des phytonymes. Ainsi, parmi les toponymes ayant une origine anthroponymique, on compte : Vilcashuamán et Pacaritambo; une origine théonymique : Titicaca et Tiwanaku; une origine ethnonymique : Huancavelica et Cajamarca; une origine zoonymique : Cusco; et une origine phytonymique : Chachapoyas. De telles connaissances pourront ainsi représenter un complément aux données historiques, permettant de les appréhender sous des angles inédits. LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-alex... Le site web : https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/... Onomastics Online (ICOS – International Council of Onomastic Sciences) 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  

Bhutanese Personal Names and Identity

 

The lecture series Onomastics Online continued on 11 June 2026 with a lecture presented by Sonam Tshering (Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, Bhutan) with the title "Bhutanese Personal Names and Identity". Keywords: #Bhutan #PersonalNames #Culture #Identity #GrossNationalHappiness Abstract: Bhutan, a small Himalayan kingdom between India and China, promotes Gross National Happiness (GNH). Bhutan has preserved its unique culture, strong Buddhist values, and lively social and cultural legacy despite its 400-year-old political structure. Bhutanese personal names are one of the most important ways people express themselves. Lamas and other religious figures often give Bhutanese names spiritual meaning. Buddhist philosophy, morality, and protection inspired these names. South and Southeast Asia often base names on family or ancestry, whereas Bhutan does not, ensuring equality. However, Bhutanese personal names rarely follow these patterns. Instead of ancestry, they value egalitarianism and community. Thus, in this lecture, I will briefly address Bhutanese names' cultural, social, and linguistic significance and uniqueness. I will also discuss how the names reflect Bhutanese culture, society, and religion. Finally, I will analyse how Westernised or hybrid naming patterns may affect Bhutanese culture expression and identity and belonging in modern Bhutan. Connect with the speaker:   / sonam-tshering-6a175276   Onomastics Online (ICOS – International Council of Onomastic Sciences) 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....

Лекция филолога Сергея Валюгина «И такъ она звалась Татьяной»

 

На лекции поговорим о героине романа «Евгений Онегин» Татьяне Лариной. Вы узнаете:

— почему главная героиня звалась Татьяной, а почти все остальные известные героини у Пушкина — Марии;

— зачем героиня проходит испытание любовью;

— что вкладывает автор в её образ;

— что значило имя Татьяна в истории;

— как всё это связано с Днём студента 25 января.

Мы вспомним и других героинь с именем Татьяна, попробуем сравнить их характеры и судьбы, понять, сложно ли выбрать имя для своей героини и как нам в этом может помочь ономастика.

Лектор — Сергей Валюгин, учитель литературы Школы «Ника», преподаватель кафедры мировой литературы Гос. ИРЯ им. А.С. Пушкина, победитель конкурса «Педагоги года Москвы — 2023», лауреат конкурса «Учитель года России — 2023», автор телеграм-канала «Уроки литературы с Сергеем Валюгиным».

Встреча пройдёт в рамках курса лекций о школьной литературе «Лит-ра».

Webinar on using historical place-names for modern street naming

 Webinar and Q & A with the Urban Design Group on using historical place-names for modern street naming

“We can’t design places for tomorrow until we have understood where they've come from and where they are today, in order to create a narrative for their future … History is indispensable to placemaking, because when we can understand what came before; the stories, the patterns, the land use, the meanings, we can create places that feel authentic rather than arbitrary” Hannah Smart. 00:00:00 - Introduction by Hannah Smart, Chair Elect, the Urban Design Group 00:04:12 – John Baker, Professor of Medieval Studies and Name-Studies introduces the work of the INS, the Institute for Name-Studies in Nottingham (the UK); The English Place-Name Society and Survey of English Place-Names. 00:09:51 – Dr Susan Kilby , Fellow INS provides a detailed account of a wide range of street names and earlier social and economic history in urban and rural settings. 00:20:44 - Some of the difficulties with modern naming e.g. individuals whose wealth has connections with slavery. 00:23:44 – Real life example of a street naming process. 00:25:45 – Abigail Lloyd – Research Affiliate INS, discusses historical place-names. Why and how should we use them? The statutory duty carried out by local authorities coupled with local frameworks and codes. The GeoPlace Code of Practice. 00:27:15 – Street naming considerations 00:27:51 – Stakeholder and public consultation 00:31:43 – Potential constraints 00:34:08 – Contributing to a sense of place. 00:37:38 – Recovering lost landscapes and industries 00:38:43 – Preserving dialects and linguistic history, contributing to a sense of place 00:39:48 – The English Dialect Dictionary 00:41:16 – Relating this to the design and development process; GIS layering 00:43:18 – Further resources. 00:43:54 – Discussion featuring: 00:45:16 - Attempts at naming through invention or AI? 00:48:04 – The potential for problematic naming 00:51:04 – Greenfield sites ‘new towns’ and naming 00:54:36 – The languages frequently involved 00:55:29 – Trends and fashions in naming 00:57:38 – Non-contextual naming 00:59:39 – Encouraging a research based approach

Rethabile Possa: Offspring of Outcast - Basotho Cultural Significance of Naming

 

The lecture series Onomastics Online continued on 11 December 2025 with a lecture presented by Rethabile Possa (University of Cape Town, South Africa) with the title "Offspring of an Outcast: The Cultural Significance of Naming Among the Basotho". Keywords: #Onomastictheory, #Basotho #namingpractices, #socialidentity, #culturalheritage, #marginalisation Abstract: This study explores the cultural context of naming practices among the Basotho, using onomastic theory to analyze the socio-cultural meanings embedded in names. Names in Basotho society are not arbitrary; they reflect social status, historical events, and communal values. The research investigates how individuals labeled as “outcasts” are named and how these names carry social implications that influence identity, belonging, and social interactions. Through qualitative methods, including interviews and textual analysis, the study examines the semantic, morphological, and sociolinguistic features of names associated with marginalization. Onomastic theory provides a framework to understand how names act as social markers, reinforcing or challenging societal norms. The findings reveal that names associated with social exclusion often carry a historical and emotional burden, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward marginality. Additionally, the study underscores the dynamic nature of naming practices, as shifts in social perceptions influence the redefinition and reclamation of once-stigmatized names. The research contributes to the understanding of identity construction through language, offering insights into the relationship between naming practices, cultural heritage, and social cohesion within Basotho communities. Connect with the speaker: https://g.co/kgs/wH83iUj | https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3472-7270 Onomastics Online (ICOS – International Council of Onomastic Sciences) 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....

Talk "The crucial and contested concept of the endonym/exonym divide"

                                                                                                               

Paul Woodman has called it the “great toponymic divide”, but the endonym/exonym distinction is not a concept confined solely to toponymy, it can be transferred to all name categories, where the name used by insiders may differ from the name used by outsiders, e.g., to ethnonyms, anthro ponyms, names of institutions, where we frequently meet, for instance nicknames and derogative designa- tions used by outsiders. But there is no doubt that this divide has its focus on toponymy, since it corresponds there to two basic human attitudes: (1) to the distinction between ‛mine’ and ‛yours’, ‛ours’ and ‛theirs’, and (2) to territoriality, the desire to own a place, which appears at all levels of the construction of human community — from the level of the family up to that of nations. Thus, it has always a political, social, and juridical meaning and is frequently a reason for dispute and conflict. However, even after long and intensive discussions, e.g., in the UNGEGN Working Group of Exonyms, to date we can still see rather divergent approaches to this divide. There is the linguistic approach regarding the endonym and the exonym rather as poles of a continuum, with various intermediary stages. Alternatively, there is the cultural-geographical approach that accepts no other criteria than the spatial relation between the name-using community and the geographical feature denoted by the name. The article elaborates on these items, mainly on the basis of the discussions and publications of the UNGEGN Working Group on Exonyms since 2002.

INTERONOMA (7th November)

 

Mesa Redonda Híbrida 2: El Impacto Social de los Procesos de Nominación en África Lusófona / Hybrid Roundtable 2: The Social Impact of Naming Processes in Lusophone Africa - 1º Interonoma - Congresso Internacional de Onomástica O Papel da Toponímia na Construção da Paz e Reconciliação Nacional de Angola: O Caso do Município do Cuanham - Leonardo Tuyenikumwe Pedro (Universidade do Namibe - Angola) Entre a Inclusão e Exclusão na Toponímia das Cidades de Maputo, Beira e Quelimane, Moçambique — José Jorge Mahumane (Universidade Eduardo Mondlane - Moçambique) Modera: Célia Dias de Castro (Uema/Uemasul)

   

 Conferência de encerramento / Conferencia de cierre / Closing keynote - 1º Interonoma - Congresso Internacional de Onomástica Nomes Próprios (Apelidos) e o Legado Colonial Português para Gerações Pós-Coloniais Angolanas: Conotações, Atitudes e Submissão - Dinis Fernando da Costa (Universidade do Namibe - Angola) Modera: Aparecida Negri Isquerdo (UFMS)

 

INTERONOMA (6th November)

 

 

 Mesa Redonda Híbrida 1: El Impacto Social en la Nominación de Lugares / Hybrid Roundtable 1: The Social Impact on the Naming of Places - 1º Interonoma - Congresso Internacional de Onomástica Senses of Othering Reflected in Place Names: Experiences from Vuosaari Neighbourhood in Helsinki — Terhi Ainiala (University of Helsinki, Finlândia) Making a Place Named Freedom: Black Livingness, Onomastic Activism, and Civil Rights Struggles in the USA —Derek H. Alderman (University of Tennessee/Estados Unidos) Modera: Vitor Cordeiro (UFMG)

   

 Conferencia 4 / Lecture 4 - 1º Interonoma - Congresso Internacional de Onomástica Libras e Antroponomástica: Explorando as “Identidades Visuais” — Gabriele Cristine Rech (UEMS)

INTERONOMA (5th November 2025)

 

 

 Mesa redonda presencial 2: El impacto social en la nominación de grupos minoritarios / In-person roundtable 2: The social impact on the naming of minority groups Estudos Onomásticos em Línguas de Sinais: o que o Brasil tem Produzido? — Alexandre Melo de Sousa (UFAL) Atitudes em Relação às Normas e ao Emprego de Nomes de Pessoas Trans — Eduardo Tadeu Roque Amaral (UFMG - FAPEMIG/CNPq) O Impacto Social dos Processos de Nomeação em Grupos Minoritários: o Caso dos Guarani e Kaiowá de Mato Grosso do Sul — Andérbio Márcio Silva Martins (UFGD) Modera: Gabriele Cristine Rech (UEMS)

   

 Palestra 3 / Conferencia 3 / Lecture 3 - 1º Interonoma - Congresso Internacional de Onomástica A Toponímia Paralela e Seus Impactos Socioculturais — Celina Marcia de Souza Abbade (PPGEL/UNEB/NEL)

INTERONOMA (4th November 2025)

 Mesa Presencial 1: El Impacto Social en laNominación de Personas / In-Person Roundtable 1: The Social Impact on the Naming of People

Palestra 1 / Conferencia 1 / Lecture 1 do 1º Interonoma - Congresso Internacional de Onomástica Atlas Toponímicos no Brasil: Perspectivas Documentais, Linguísticas e Sócio-históricas — Aparecida Negri Isquerdo (UFMS/CNPq); Marilze Tavares (UFGD)

   

 Palestra 2 / Conferencia 2 / Lecture 2 do 1º Interonoma - Congresso Internacional de Onomástica Explorando a Toponímia em Sala de Aula — Karylleila dos Santos Andrade (PPGLetras/UFT e PPGLLIT/UFNT)

 

Tag des Zweitnamens

Manche würden ihn am liebsten verheimlichen, andere finden ihn witzig und einige nutzen ihn als Kosenamen. Richtig: es geht um den Zweitnamen. Von den einen gehasst, von den anderen geliebt. Und weil er für viele Diskussionen sorgt, wird er heute hoch offiziell mit dem „Sei stolz auf deinen Zweitnamen“-Tag gefeiert. Es macht ja schon was her: Zwei Vornamen im Personalausweis, sieht einfach nach mehr aus. Dabei haben eher die wenigsten heute noch mehr als einen Namen auf dem Ausweis stehen. Die Geschichte der Zweitnamen ist ein Teil der Wissenschaft namens Onomastik, also Namensforschung. Laut Experten sind Alexander und Maximilian die beliebtesten Zweitnamen bei den Jungen und Sophie und Marie stehen bei den Mädchen an der Spitze. Und auch einige Promis sind stolze Zweitnamen-Träger. Jimmy Blue Ochsenknecht zum Beispiel. Der Schauspieler heißt Blue, weil er bei der Geburt blau angelaufen ist. Weniger spektakulär und eher unbekannt ist der zweite Name von EX-National-Torhüter Manuel Neuer. Der heißt Manuel Peter Neuer. Aber egal ob bekannt oder eher verheimlicht -,der zweite Vorname hat Vorteile, sagt der Hobby-Namensforscher Knud Bielefeld: „Wir leben in einer sehr vernetzten Welt inzwischen. Da ist die Gefahr, dass man jemanden trifft mit demselben Vor und Nachnamen groß. Und wenn man dann noch einen zweiten Vornamen hat, kann man sich unterscheiden davon. Und nicht zuletzt wenn der Ruf ruiniert ist, dann kann man eben den Rufnamen wechseln, wenn man zwei oder mehr Namen hat" Genau und darum hat sich der Zweite Vorname auch seine Ehrentag verdient. Alle die einen haben, können sich heute freuen und die anderen: Bitte nicht traurig sein. Ein Beitrag von Martin Breunig.

Modelización Estadística de Apellidos: Nuevas Técnicas para Explorar la Historia y Evolución de las Poblaciones

En esta conferencia se presentará un enfoque innovador en la investigación genealógica y el estudio de la historia familiar utilizando técnicas avanzadas de modelización estadística para el análisis de apellidos. A través de la adaptación de índices de biodiversidad al estudio de la onomástica, se han desarrollado herramientas que permiten identificar patrones espaciales y espacio-temporales en la distribución de apellidos, proporcionando información clave sobre la evolución de las poblaciones y su conexión con las regiones de origen. Entre los aspectos más destacados se encuentran técnicas avanzadas como el análisis esférico y los modelos jerárquicos, que permiten rastrear la evolución de los apellidos en distintas regiones. Algunas de estas herramientas están disponibles en una librería de código abierto, que serán de gran valor para genealogistas e investigadores interesados en estudiar los movimientos y cambios de las familias a lo largo del tiempo. La relación entre los apellidos y las variedades lingüísticas, como el gallego, asturiano y catalán, también será discutida, mostrando cómo estos patrones aportan una nueva dimensión en la exploración de las raíces familiares. Esta conferencia ofrecerá a los asistentes de RootsTech nuevas herramientas para profundizar en la genealogía, abriendo un mundo de posibilidades para descubrir su herencia y los caminos recorridos por sus antepasados.

Unlocking History Through Surnames: The Power of Statistical Modeling

 Did you know that your surname holds clues to the past? Discover how statistical modeling of surnames is revolutionizing the study of population history, migration, and cultural evolution at
RootsTech 2025!

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM (GMT+1)
📍 Online Event – FamilySearch RootsTech
📽️ Presentation Language: Spanish

This fascinating session will dive deep into how surnames reflect centuries of human history, using modern statistical and computational techniques to uncover hidden patterns.

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📊 What Will You Learn?

✅ Genealogy Meets Data Science: How statistical models help trace family lineages and surname distributions.
✅ Historical Migration Patterns: Discover how surnames map out population movements over time.
✅ Linguistic & Cultural Identity: How surnames preserve regional dialects, traditions, and historical transformations.

Whether you're a family history enthusiast, a linguist, or a data scientist, this session will reveal new insights into how names shape our understanding of the past.

🎤 Speaker: María José Ginzo Villamayor 

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🔬 Cutting-Edge Techniques in Surname Analysis

Modern technology is transforming the study of surnames through:

🔹 Mathematical models of surname inheritance 🧬
🔹 Geographic mapping of surname distributions 🗺️
🔹 Phonetic and linguistic surname evolution studies 🔤

These tools allow researchers to trace surname variations across generations and continents, revealing historical connections and forgotten family ties.

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🌎 Why Does It Matter?

The study of surnames provides a unique window into the past, offering:

🔹 A deeper understanding of ancestry and cultural identity.
🔹 Insights into population shifts, migrations, and historical transformations.
🔹 A way to preserve linguistic diversity in an increasingly globalized world.

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📌 Don’t Miss It!

🔗 Learn more and access the event at: FamilySearch RootsTech

Join this engaging session (in Spanish) and discover how your surname holds the key to centuries of history! 📜✨

La modelización estadística de apellidos se ha convertido en una herramienta fundamental para explorar la historia y evolución de las poblaciones. Este enfoque permite a los investigadores analizar patrones de herencia cultural y biológica, proporcionando una visión más profunda de cómo las sociedades se han desarrollado a lo largo del tiempo.​

Aplicaciones de la Modelización Estadística de Apellidos

1. Estudios Demográficos: Al analizar la frecuencia y distribución de apellidos en una población, es posible inferir tasas de crecimiento, migraciones y otros fenómenos demográficos.​

2. Genética de Poblaciones: Dado que los apellidos suelen heredarse de manera similar a ciertos marcadores genéticos, su estudio puede reflejar la diversidad genética y las relaciones entre diferentes grupos dentro de una población.​

3. Historia Cultural: Los apellidos pueden revelar información sobre la estructura social, profesiones comunes y orígenes geográficos de las familias, ofreciendo una ventana a la historia cultural de una comunidad.​

Nuevas Técnicas en la Investigación de Apellidos

La incorporación de técnicas estadísticas avanzadas ha revolucionado el estudio de los apellidos. Modelos matemáticos que consideran procesos de nacimiento y muerte, junto con mutaciones (cambios o variaciones en los apellidos), permiten una comprensión más precisa de cómo estos evolucionan en una población. Por ejemplo, investigaciones han demostrado que modelos simples pueden describir eficazmente la distribución y frecuencia de apellidos en diferentes países, reflejando tanto la evolución biológica como cultural. ​arXiv

Importancia de la Investigación en Apellidos

Comprender la dinámica de los apellidos no solo satisface una curiosidad académica, sino que también tiene implicaciones prácticas. Por ejemplo, puede ayudar en estudios de genealogía, en la planificación de políticas públicas relacionadas con la migración y en la preservación del patrimonio cultural.​

Conclusión

La modelización estadística de apellidos representa una intersección fascinante entre matemáticas, genética y ciencias sociales. A medida que las técnicas continúan evolucionando, es probable que descubramos aún más sobre cómo nuestros nombres reflejan la historia y evolución de las poblaciones humanas.