Introduction: What's in a Name?

1. The Philosophy of a Name

2. Construct, Context, and Connections: The Semiotics of Yoruba Names

3. Naming as Act and Art: A Synthesis

4. Theorizing Names: Moving Beyond Western-Centric Models

Chapter 1: Yoruba Naming and Meaning

1. Introduction: The Cultural Weight of a Name

2. The Pragmatic Theory of Properhood (TPTP): A Critical Review

3. Meaning in Yoruba Names: Beyond Referentiality

*3.1 Denotation: Literal Meaning (Revisited)

*3.2 Connotation: Cultural and Historical Meanings

*3.3 Perspectivization: The Individual and Negotiated Meaning

*3.4.Subversion and Re-semanticization: Turning Meaning on its Head

4. Conclusion: Reconsidering the Nature of Meaning in Proper Names

Chapter 2: Personal Names: Constructing Identities and Narrating Social Experiences

1. Introduction: Names as Sites of Identity Construction

2. The Naming Context Among the Yoruba: A Socio-Cultural Ritual

3. Factors Motivating the Choice of Names: A

*3.1 Family Situation or Parents’ Experiences

*3.2 Birth Circumstances

*3.3 Birth Order

*3.4 Sex

*3.5 Religion

*3.6 Profession

*3.7 Death Situation

4. Conclusion: Names as Dynamic Narratives of Self

Chapter 3: Oriki: Praising Destiny, Constructing Identities in Yoruba Culture

1. Introduction: Oriki as a Cultural and Linguistic Phenomenon

2. The Concept of Ori: Foundations of Yoruba Identity and Destiny

3. Oriki as a Verbal Instantiation of Ori: Performance and Power

4. Types of Oriki: Exploring Specific Forms

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4.1 Oriki Abis? (Attributive Personal Praise Names)

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4.2 Oriki Orile (Totemic Praise Names)

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4.3 Oriki Alaje? (Praise Nicknames)

5. Conclusion: Reconsidering the Nature of Meaning in Proper Names

Chapter 4: Place Names: Language and History

1. Introduction: Place Names as Embodied Histories and Ecological Markers

2. Yoruba Toponyms: A Tapestry of History, Ecology, and Social Life

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2.1 Flora Toponyms

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2.2 Hill Toponyms

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2.3 Hydro-Toponyms

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2.4 Topographic-Color Descriptive Toponyms

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2.5 Stone Toponyms and Forest Toponyms

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2.6 War-related Toponyms

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2.7 Agro-Toponyms

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2.8 Place names based on environmental changes

3. Conclusion

Chapter 5: Pet Names: Language, Resistance, and Protest

1. Introduction: Naming as Resistance and Protest

2. The Yorubas and the Pet Culture

3. Pet Naming and Linguistic Creativity in Yoruba Culture: The Art of Subversion

4. Yoruba Pet Names: Sites of Resistance and Social Commentary

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4.1 Pet Names and Protest in Family Matters

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4.2 Pet Names and Protest in Communal Situations: Navigating Power and Conflict

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4.3 Pet Names and Protest in National Politics: Voicing Dissent

5. Conclusion

Chapter 6: Hair Names: Language and Women's Agency

1. Introduction: Hair as a Site of Agency and Cultural Commentary

2. Hairstyling in Yoruba Culture

3. The Poetics of Plaiting: Creativity and Complexity in Yoruba Hairstyles Names

4. Crowning Glory: Hairstyle Names as Women’s Agency and Individuality

5. Conclusion

Chapter 7: Building Names: Language and Politics

1. Introduction

2. Architecture as a Reflection of Cultural Identity

3. Renaming of Buildings and Political Ideology

4. Building Names and the Politics of Prestige and Donations

5. Conclusion

Conclusion: Everything Can Be in a Name: Reimagining Onomastics Beyond Referentiality

1. From Question to Affirmation: Reframing the Scope of Onomastics

2. Beyond Referentiality: A Multidimensional Understanding of Naming

3. Naming as a Performativity and Power: Reconsidering Agency

4. Towards a Culturally Sensitive Onomastics: New Orientations and Methodologies

5. Future Directions: Opening New Avenues for Inquiry

Index