Motivations for personal naming among the Sukuma of Shinyanga, Tanzania

Abstract

This article examines Sukuma personal names by focusing on the factors which motivate their selection and bestowal on children. It argues that personal naming is systematic, and that it is carefully and consciously handled by the Sukuma-speaking community. In addition, the personal naming process is rule-governed, and its execution is influenced by certain factors which may vary or coincide among communities. The findings suggest that the choice of baby names among the Sukuma of Shinyanga is motivated by diverse factors, including the sex of the child, the manner and order of birth, circumstances at birth, parents’ experiences, place and time of birth, seasons and events in a year, and national or global events. The motivations for baby naming in Sukuma not only point to the considerations that parents and/or name-givers make before selecting a name, but also provide important clues about their meanings. Consequently, understanding the motivations for baby naming draws us closer to knowing the meaning of names and the contexts or circumstances under which babies in Sukuma are named.