Naming and identity: a cross-cultural study of personal naming practices

HRAF Press • New Haven • Published In • Pages: ??•
By Alford, Richard

Hypothesis

Naming institutions which confer social legitimacy will be positively associated with societal size, complexity, and use of unilineal descent (32).

Note

Most significant correlations occurred with complexity of military organization (Tau = 0.44, p < 0.01) and presence of totemism (Tau = 0.48, p < 0.01). At p < 0.05 level, the variables elaborate birth ceremonies, naming signifies parenthood, name taboo (spouse), judicial authority, cannibalism, religious organization, and population are positively associated, while belief in spirits with limited control and bilateral descent are negatively associated.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Kendall's TauSupportedp < 0.05UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Bilateral DescentDependentRule Of Descent
CannibalismDependentCannibalism
Elaborate Birth CeremonyDependentChildbirth
Judicial AuthorityDependentJudicial Authority
Military OrganizationDependentMilitary Organization
PopulationDependentPopulation
TotemismDependentSacred Objects And Places, Theological Systems
Religious OrganizationDependentTheological Systems, Priesthood
Naming Signifies Social LegitimacyIndependentNaming, Personal Names
Belief in Spirits with Limited ControlDependentSpirits And Gods
Naming Signifies ParenthoodDependentAge Stratification, Naming, Personal Names
Name Taboo (Spouse)DependentPersonal Names