Imiona ‒ dziedzictwo kultury

Abstract

The study analyses historical and contemporary motivation behind given names in Polish local communities as reflected in the parish of Jadowniki in Małopolska (1784–2005). The work combines historical, linguistic, anthropological and cultural issues. Part I considers given names from a linguistic and cultural point of view: their history, their motivation, the anthropological interpretation of anthroponymic customs, and the act of naming from the philosophical perspective of idealism. Part II looks at given names used in Jadowniki from a chronological and geographical angle. The discussion begins with the earliest sources, but focuses on variation in anthroponymy in the years 1784–2005 as attested in baptismal records, taking into consideration polyonymy, the characteristics of the corpus of names, and, from a wider perspective, analogies from other local communities. Part III discusses factors contributing to the variation in terms of motivation behind given names in Jadowniki: its diversity; aspects related to religion, family and microhistory; and the influence of tradition, national consciousness, stereotypes, fashion, individual needs and emotions. The issue of consistency is also discussed in relation to naming twins. The study features an etymological and motivational dictionary of names used in Jadowniki. The conclusions support the claims that names are a testimony of human existence, and a cultural symbol and heritage, while also characterizing society and its changes.