ÓSÓSỌ̀ PERSONAL NAMES: STRUCTURE AND MEANING

Abstract

Our African forebearers treated names not just as a nomenclature but as statements deeply embedded into our cultural expressions of identity, belief, and social philosophy. However, globalisation, socio-cultural pressures, and migration to parts far from home are reducing the practice of naming of children with indigenous names among many Ósósọ̀ indigenes. This shift is assumed to be influenced by factors such as religion, modern trends, or a lack of knowledge of the structure and semantics of Ósósọ̀ names. This study addresses the second gap by examining the ethnolinguistic structure of personal names and naming practices among the Ósósọ̀ people of Edo State, Nigeria, with particular emphasis on their phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic properties. Grounded in Cognitive theory and Speech Act theory, the research explores how language reflects and shapes worldview through the act of naming. Using a qualitative ethnographic methodology, data were collected through interviews with 8 fathers and 8 mothers who have given names to children and grandchildren, and additional data were sourced from online and archival records. The study focuses on the sociocultural factors influencing name selection and analyzed 56 names across seven syntactic categories and seven semantic themes. The findings reveal that Ósósọ̀ names are grammatically complete, semantically rich, and culturally resonant. They are encoded with ethical values, spiritual beliefs, and communal memory. The study recommends that Ósósọ̀ indigenes establish forums and educational initiatives focused on anthroponymy, ensuring that naming remains a conscious, culturally grounded practice since revitalizing indigenous naming traditions is essential to sustaining linguistic heritage and reinforcing communal identity in this rapidly changing world.