Naming Patterns among Northern Sotho, Xitsonga and Tshivenda Communities of SA: Religio-cultural Perspective

Abstract

This study discusses naming patterns and practices of three South African indigenous groups as representative examples, namely Northern Sotho, Xitsonga and Tshivenda, from a religio-cultural perspective. In almost every African culture and tradition, newly-born babies receive their names immediately after birth. Names are usually predetermined when the mother is pregnant. Although in numerous instances the parents are responsible for naming the baby, family members (e.g., aunts, grandparents, brothers, or sisters) may also suggest a name. The naming of babies is not a random exercise because religio-cultural meanings are attached to a name. By utilising a narrative approach as a method, the article argues that indigenous names carry meanings, and each name tells a story. The study aims at demonstrating that names play a significant role in the preservation, documentation and promotion of cultural heritage. The discussion commences by exploring naming patterns from a biblical perspective in order to provide a matrix for a religio-cultural thrust of child-naming within the aforementioned South African indigenous groups.