Abstract:
This article examines Sukuma personal names by focusing on the factors which motivate their
selection and bestowal on children. It argues that personal naming is systematic, and that it is
carefully and consciously handled by the Sukuma-speaking community. In addition, the
personal naming process is rule-governed, and its execution is influenced by certain factors
which may vary or coincide among communities. The findings suggest that the choice of baby
names among the Sukuma of Shinyanga is motivated by diverse factors, including the sex of
the child, the manner and order of birth, circumstances at birth, parents’ experiences, place and
time of birth, seasons and events in a year, and national or global events. The motivations for
baby naming in Sukuma not only point to the considerations that parents and/or name-givers
make before selecting a name, but also provide important clues about their meanings.
Consequently, understanding the motivations for baby naming draws us closer to knowing the
meaning of names and the contexts or circumstances under which babies in Sukuma are named.
