Ieskats kaķu vārdu izvēles motivācijā

Abstract

Onomasticians tend to focus not only on toponyms and anthroponyms, but also on zoonyms. This article gives an insight into cat names and the motivation for their choice. At the end of 2020, the author of this article made a questionnaire about cat names, posted this questionnaire on the social network Facebook, and received an unexpectedly large number of responses from people ‒ 19,592 questionnaires were submitted. The main focus of the questionnaire was placed on the motivation to choose cat names, as the motivations for choosing the same name can be very different, even completely opposed. The social and economic study of zoonyms enables us to identify the most important factors in choosing cat names, avoiding as many hypothetical or even erroneous conclusions as possible. A significant part of the analysed material consists of felynonyms motivated by the appearance of the cat: coat colour (Cukurs) (white), Kurmis (black), Oreo (black and white), Grejs (grey), Mango (red)), appearance in general or individual details (eyes (Poga), ears (Betmens), whiskers (Ūšuks), paws (Pepija), any special feature (Ķēpa) or defects (Bočelli)). The situation how the cat enters the family also plays an important role; where the cat is found (Dīzelis, Barons); who brings or finds the cat (Pičus); who it is bought from (Dekāns). The choice of felynonyms is also determined by other factors, such as the cat's behaviour and temper (Tors, Skrāpīte); accident or single action (Neptūns, Džampers); matching names (Dolārs and Mārciņa, Ansis and Grieta); the name of another real animal (Cimdiņš, Dadzis); cat breed or its name (Kilimandžāro, Boriss); originality (Deficīts, Punkasens); owner's profession, position, occupation (Karmena, Pikselis); interests, hobbies (Akords, Eminems); travel (Forints, Turcis); unfulfilled dreams and longing (Haskijs, Lote) or even several factors at once (Zaļģis, Notārs). People naming cats have chosen words that already exist in the language as names for their pets and have made various occasional words, showing the unlimited horizons of human imagination (Mimeļmops, Irokejs). The collected material is the first such extensive summary of cat names. It can also serve as a source of inspiration for everyone to choose a name for their new pet.