A Socio-Semantic Analysis of Selected Anthroponyms in the Mambwe Language

Names serve as fundamental markers of human identity, encapsulating a wealth of socio-cultural information. This study presents a socio-semantic analysis of selected Mambwe anthroponyms from the Mbala district in Zambia's Northern Province. Employing a qualitative methodology with purposive and snowball sampling, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with six native Mambwe speakers. The analysis, framed within a sociolinguistic perspective, reveals that Mambwe personal names are categorizable into themes such as theophoric names (alluding to God), names expressing emotions (regret, joy, hope), and those reflecting birth circumstances, time, and social commentary (gossip, peace). The findings demonstrate that these names carry both denotative and connotative meanings, deeply intertwined with the community's cultural norms and social experiences. A key finding is the central role of God as a resolver of social discord, with names often functioning as tools for moral enforcement and social mediation. The study concludes that Mambwe anthroponyms are not merely identifiers but active instruments in upholding moral principles, strengthening social bonds, and mediating relationships between the name-giver, the child, and God. They play a crucial role in shaping cultural identity and transmitting intergenerational knowledge within the Mambwe society. Future research could benefit from a larger, more diverse sample and the incorporation of discourse analysis.