The Contemporary System of Bulgarian Anthroponyms (Trends in Personal Names in Bulgarian Cities)
Department of Applied Onomastics
Period: 2013-2015
Type of project: Collective
Funding: budgetary (BAS)
Principal Investigator: Prof. A. Choleva-Dimitrova
Participants: Prof. A. Choleva-Dimitrova, assoc. prof. B. Yanev (external collaborator), Assist. prof. M. Vlahova-Angelova
Abstract:
The project aims at researching approximately 18,000 personal names given to newborns in the biggest cities in Bulgaria – Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna, as well as in some towns and smaller settlements. The research plan involves analysis of the names given to newborns in the previous year and preparation of an Updated Bulletin of the Current State of the Bulgarian System of Anthroponyms. The collected names are subjected to statistical analysis in order to draw some conclusions on the traditions and changes in the motivation of parents naming their newborns. The study uses etymological, comparative and statistical methods.
The study focuses on the analysis of anthroponyms collected in smaller towns (in Sofia Province, Plovdiv Province, etc.). Comparative analysis is applied to collect and interpret the information about the system of the Bulgarian personal names. The team has the opportunity to compare names and naming practices in the bigger cities with those in towns and smaller settlements.
The study discusses a broad range of issues of the public and private life in Bulgaria, and contributes to anthroponymy, sociology, history and culture. The origin and meaning of personal names can be certified by the Department.
The project meets the priority section of study on the cultural heritage set in the National Strategy of Scientific Research to 2020. The project is a part of two priority areas of research at the Institute for Bulgarian Language – Theoretical Linguistics and Cultural and Historical Linguistic Heritage of Bulgaria.
Presentation of the results: research papers and review articles, Bulletin of the Current State of the Bulgarian System of Anthroponyms.
