The Origin of Naming

Wisasongko

Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Jember

Jalan Kalimantan 37 Jember 68121

sastraing.unej@gmail.com

Abstract

It is generally believed that people give names to the things around us arbitrarily. There is no particular reason why a chair is named a chair. However, not every thing gets its name in this way. The names of places, such as a city, a town, an island are named for various reasons. Some cities are named for historic reasons, some are based on myth, and others are named after an important public figure. In addition, the names of human beings are laden with meanings. Name of a person is a prayer and an expectation of his/her parents. There is no one which is named arbitrarily. Some names are used to memorize a certain event, to mark a certain time, to follow the names of the prophets, and others are based on philosophy. This article ascertains that naming things and persons are based on certain and specific reasons.