Analysis of proper names in the english language

Abstract

This article examines the historical development and linguistic features of proper names (anthroponyms) in the English language. It explores the origins, evolution, and classification of English personal names, including influences from Old High German, Celtic, Scandinavian, Latin, and Hebrew sources. The study highlights the impact of historical events, literature, and cultural changes on English anthroponymy. The analysis also addresses translation and transcription issues when transferring proper names across languages. The research underscores the significance of anthroponyms as cultural and historical markers that reflect the linguistic and societal transformations of the English-speaking world.

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Obruyeva, G. (2025). Analysis of proper names in the english language. Dialogue, Integration of Sciences and Cultures in the Process of Scientific and Professional Education, 1(1), 72–74. Retrieved from https://inlibrary.uz/index.php/discpspe/article/view/81220
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Abstract

This article examines the historical development and linguistic features of proper names (anthroponyms) in the English language. It explores the origins, evolution, and classification of English personal names, including influences from Old High German, Celtic, Scandinavian, Latin, and Hebrew sources. The study highlights the impact of historical events, literature, and cultural changes on English anthroponymy. The analysis also addresses translation and transcription issues when transferring proper names across languages. The research underscores the significance of anthroponyms as cultural and historical markers that reflect the linguistic and societal transformations of the English-speaking world.


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ILMIY VA PROFESSIONAL TA’LIM JARAYONIDA MULOQOT, FAN VA MADANIYATLAR

INTEGRATSIYASI

72

Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages

ANALYSIS OF PROPER NAMES IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Gulchehra Khamrakulovna Obruyeva

Professor at SamSIFL

Abstract:

This article examines the historical development and linguistic features of

proper names (anthroponyms) in the English language. It explores the origins, evolution, and

classification of English personal names, including influences from Old High German, Celtic,

Scandinavian, Latin, and Hebrew sources. The study highlights the impact of historical events,

literature, and cultural changes on English anthroponymy. The analysis also addresses translation

and transcription issues when transferring proper names across languages. The research

underscores the significance of anthroponyms as cultural and historical markers that reflect the

linguistic and societal transformations of the English-speaking world.

Key Words:

Proper names, anthroponyms, English personal names, historical

development, name classification, linguistic influences, cultural identity, translation,

transcription, literature.

Proper names or anthroponyms are a large group of words, which include names of

people, personal names, patronyms (middle names), surnames, family names, nicknames and

pseudonyms, cryptonyms (hidden names). Anthroponyms of literary works, the names of heroes

in folklore, in myths and fairy tales are also studied. English names have come a long way of

historical development which depended on the history of the English people and their language.

Anthroponyms are called one of the absolute language universals, and according to Anikin, this

universality is based on the same evolutionary processes of nominal systems. Proper names can

be called mirrors that reflect culture. Based on these conclusions, we can say that the

anthroponym is not only a linguistic, but also a socio-historical realia that appears and functions

under certain conditions and is necessary for human community.

The nomenclature of modern English names is a kind of mosaic composed of the

names of ancient and new, originally English and borrowed, traditional and borrowed, differing

from each other in structural and semantic features. According to A. F. Artemova and O. A.

Leonovich, in modern English only 6% of ancient English names are preserved. Such diversity is

not accidental: personal names are associated with the spiritual and material culture of the people.

Therefore, while living and developing, personal names experience various kinds of influence

and go through their historical process of development, which is connected with the history of

the English people and the English language. When proper names are translated into other

languages, they are, as a rule, are borrowed, transcribed, but, as an exception, can be translated.

So, in the works of J.A. Golikova [3, 90] anthroponyms are classified sign-names and tag-names,

which are always transcribed; names with their own semantic content – the names of this group

are either traditionally transcribed or translated; names which can be referred to the irst or

second group depending on the context, they can be either transcribed or translated, sometimes

by means of tracing.

The names of Old High German origin were borrowed at various stages of the

development of English. The Old High German language is known as one of the Germanic

languages ​ ​ of the subgroup and belongs to the VlII-XI centuries. The name

Richard

(translated into Russian by transliteration – Richard) came from the Old High German language

during the Old English period of the 5

th

-11

th

centuries. Let us compare the Old High German

name Richort [richi “powerful state ¬ + hort” bold “]. The remaining names of Old High German

origin, such as

Albert, Charles, Geoffrey, Karl, Louisa, Raymond, Roger, William

, and others,

came to English through Latin and French.

The question of the Celtic component in the composition of English anthroponymy is

quite complex and can be viewed ambiguously. This is due to the problem of preservation and

settlement of the British tribe after the Anglo-Saxons colonized Britain. However, many of the


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ILMIY VA PROFESSIONAL TA’LIM JARAYONIDA MULOQOT, FAN VA MADANIYATLAR

INTEGRATSIYASI

73

Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages

personal names of the Celts and the Anglo-Saxons of the Old English layer are difficult to

distinguish from nicknames. In this group we can see simple one-component names (

Daene,

Wulf, Beald, Britta, Tristan, Froda, Hwita, Aelf, Arthur

) and two-component or complex names

like

Ethelberg, Leofwin, Wigfrith, Frithuwulf, Carmichael: Sir

Carmichael

Clarke has been

found bashed in

(“Carmichael” –transcribed according to translation traditions) [1, 23].

The invasions of the Scandinavians to England, which began at the end of the 8

th

century

and reoccurred over the next centuries to the 11

th

century, apparently did not have a significant

impact on the naming system developed by the Anglo-Saxons at that time. Relatively quickly

they merged with the Anglo-Saxons, having mastered their language, religion, public order [4,

105].

Latin names were borrowed directly from the Latin language during the Roman conquest

of England (43 BC – 410) or through French during the Norman invasion that began in 1066.

After the Norman Conquest, the Old English names almost completely disappeared from use, as

English was the official language. Greek and Latin names were also widespread, as well as

simple one-component, brought by the Normans:

William, Richard, Robert, Hugh, Ralph, Alex-

ander, George, Clara, Paul, e

tc. [35, 107]:

Whatever I told Caroline now for the demons of Mrs.

If you’re able to translate “Caroline” and transcription “Caroline” [4, 107];

In the 12

th

century, the female names were very diverse; in addition to biblical names,

there were many other, more exotic ones:

Hodierna, Italia, Cassandra. Also during this period,

David, Thomas, Nicholas, Isabel, Matilda, Eleanor

and others. After the XIII century, the

number of such names sharply decreases, which might be due to the influence of the church [4,

35].

In the XVI century after the Church Reformation by Henry VIII, the personal names of

non-biblical saints for some time came out of use and the Hebrew names from the Old Testament

became widespread:

Abigail (“Father rejoiced”), Abraham (“Father of many”), Benjamin (“my

son Chali ”)

and others. It should be noted that the Hebrew names began to penetrate into the

English language from the year 597, when Saint Augustine appeared in England with his

disciples and followers.

The div of the girl has been found at Bexhill. She has been identified as Elizabeth

Barnard

(“Elizabeth” – transcription is often used, sometimes the translation is “Elizabeth”) [4,

49].

A significant role in the replenishment of English names has played literature. English

writers not only contributed to the revival of a number of names forgotten because of the official

French language, but also created new names themselves. For example, Jonathan Swift

introduced the names

Vanessa and Stella

. Thanks to Shakespeare, such names as

Silvia

(“Two

Veronians”),

Celia

(“As you please”),

Julia

(“Two Veronians”),

Julie

t (“Romeo and Juliet”),

Jessica

(“Venetian merchant”) were widely used.

Ophelia

(“Hamlet”),

Viola

(“The Twelfth

Night”):

Farewell, Ophelia; remember well. What I have said to you

(“Ophelia” – transcribed

according to translation traditions)

In the XVIII century, the Gothic novel was revived, and with it the Old English and

Middle Ages names came into use:

Edgar, Alfred, Emma, ​ ​ Arthur, Lancelot, Rosabel

and

others. At this time, under the influence of the novels of V. Scott, the poetry of S. Coleridge, A.

Tennyson, J. Byron and the Pre-Raphaelites, the following names were spread:

Christabel,

Rowena, Cedric, Minna, Diana, Roland, Hugh, Walter

and others:

The lovely lady, Christabel,

Whom her father loves so well,

What makes her in wood so late,

A furlong from the castle gate?

(“Christabel” – transcription).

At present, among the English proper names, the old names prevail. Recently, however,

there has been a tendency to name children with the names of famous movie stars, heroes of

detective novels and comics [5, 7].


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ILMIY VA PROFESSIONAL TA’LIM JARAYONIDA MULOQOT, FAN VA MADANIYATLAR

INTEGRATSIYASI

74

Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages

Thus, the analysis of English anthroponymy showed that it is a specific system of naming

people that has passed a long way of historical development. Anthroponyms contain unique

information not only about the language, but also about the culture and history of the people. In

terms of the revival of national cultures, interest in the past, the restoration of the truth of

historical events, these onomastics can be useful for a number of sciences. The study of semantic,

etymological and translational features of names, surnames used in works of art and poetry

revealed the national originality and originality of the historical development of the English

people, their culture and language.

Literature:

1.

Rowling J.K. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. -Bloomsbury, 1997.

2.

Беленькая В.Д. Очерки англоязычной топонимики - М.: Высшая школа, 1977 -227с.

3.

Виноградов В.С. Введение в переводоведение (общие и лексические вопросы). — М.:

Издательство института общего среднего образования РАО, 2001. — 224 с.

4.

Кабакчи В.В. Лингвореволюция конца ХХ века и изменение

лингвистической парадигмы / [Электронный ресурс]. Режим доступа:

http: //www.phil .pu.ru/depts/01 /anglistikaXXI_01/29.htm

5.

Моисеев А. И. Наименование лиц по профессии. (Структурная классификация). //

Вестник ЛГУ- 1965- № 2. Серия истории, языка и литературы: Вып. 1.- С. 140-147.

6.

Шмелев Д.Н «Способы номинации в современном русском языке»// Избранные труды

по русскому языку. - М., 2002. - 888 с.

7.

Холиков, Б. (2018). Детектив романларда воқеликнинг бадиий талқинини тизимли

моделлаштириш (Марио Пьюзонинг «Чўқинтирган ота»(«The godfather») ва Тоҳир

Маликнинг «Шайтанат» асарлари мисолида). Фалсафа доктори илмий даражасини олиш

учун ёзилган докторлик (PhD) диссертацияси автореферати. Фалсафа доктори илмий

даражасини олиш учун ёзилган докторлик (PhD) диссертацияси автореферати. Фaл. фанл.

докт.(PhD) дисс.

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Khayrullaev, K. Z. (2001). The relation of word, word composition and sentence to the

predicativeness. Abstract of candidate dissertation.–Tashkent.

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Хайруллаев, Х. (2002). Предикативлик ҳодисаси ва унинг ифода объектлари.

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Хайруллаев, Х. (2009). О лингвистической природе уровней языка и речи. Вопросы

филологических наук, (2), 78-79.

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Турниёзов, Н., Турниёзова, К., & Хайруллаев, Х. (2009). Структур синтаксис асослари.

12.

Хайруллаев, Х. З. (2001). Сўз, сўз бирикмаси ва гапнинг предикативликка

муносабати. Номзод. дис автореферати. Тошкент.

References

Rowling J.К. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. -Bloomsbury, 1997.

Беленькая В.Д. Очерки англоязычной топонимики - М.: Высшая школа, 1977 -227с.

Виноградов В.С. Введение в переводоведение (общие и лексические вопросы). — М.: Издательство института общего среднего образования РАО, 2001. — 224 с.

Кабакчи В.В. Лингвореволюция конца XX века и изменение лингвистической парадигмы / [Электронный ресурс]. Режим доступа: http://www.phil .pu.ru/depts/01 ZanglistikaXXI 01/29.htm

Моисеев А. И. Наименование лиц по профессии. (Структурная классификация). // Вестник ЛГУ- 1965- № 2. Серия истории, языка и литературы: Вып. 1.- С. 140-147.

Шмелев Д.Н «Способы номинации в современном русском языке»// Избранные труды по русскому языку. - М., 2002. - 888 с.

Холиков, Б. (2018). Детектив романларда воқсликнинг бадиий талкинини тизимли моделлаштириш (Марио Пьюзонинг «Чўқинтирган ота»(«ТЬе godfather») ва Тохир Маликнинг «Шайтанат» асарлари мисолида). Фалсафа доктори илмий даражасини олиш учун езилган докторлик (PhD) диссертацияси автореферати. Фалсафа доктори илмий даражасини олиш учун ёзилган докторлик (PhD) диссертацияси автореферати. Фал. фанл. докт.(РЬО) дисс.

Khayrullacv, К. Z. (2001). The relation of word, word composition and sentence to the predicativeness. Abstract of candidate dissertation.-Tashkcnt.

Хайруллаев, X. (2002). Предикативлик ходисаси ва унинг ифода объектлари.

Хайруллаев, X. (2009). О лингвистической природе уровней языка и речи. Вопросы филологических наук, (2), 78-79.

1. Турниёзов, Н., Турниёзова, К., & Хайруллаев, X. (2009). Структур синтаксис асослари.

Хайруллаев, X. 3. (2001). Сўз, сўз бирикмаси ва гапнинг предикативликка муносабати. Номзод. дис автореферати. Тошкент.