Imiona w metrykach chrztu parafii prawosławnej pod wezwaniem Św. Onufrego w Jabłecznej (1944–1969)

Abstract

In the paper the object of linguistic research is Orthodox Parish in Jabłeczna. The processes occurring in the Orthodox onomastics in Jabłeczna after the War World II until 1969 do not differ in their cardinal rules from the processes happening in other Christian religious groups. On the basis of the analysis of anthroponymic material, the most characteristic is the connotative content, the relation between the name and the saint bearing such a name. Giving Christian names was promoted by the clergy, especially by the convents in Poland. Therefore, the Christian and native hereditary names coexist. The characteristic of the native names is their popularity in both the analysized period and the past. To some extent, that might have been the reason why a certain set of constantly given names has been established in that area. Taking into account the diachronic approach, the most popular male names are common to both naming systems, whilst the female name are characterized by a generational diversity. The differences in the naming are the result of historical phenomena, social and cultural changes. Some very popular names are replaced by either names not being often used so far or by completely new ones (e.g. Eustymia, Deveniejusz). At the end of the studied period (50’s and 60’s), the anthroponymic material of the younger generation presents a tendency of mingling the Eastern and Western Cultures which led to diversifying the name forms as well as appearance of new secular names previously unknown to the Orthodox. The greater liberalism and diversity reflect the anthroponymic system of the god- parents who were not so rarely Roman-Catholic. The choice of name was probably determined by language and aesthetic conditions since the most commonly chosen names are characterized by numerous word-formation possibilities not only in Po- lish but also in Russian (Belorussian, Ukrainian). Another factor determining the choice of name was the fashion. However, it could not go beyond the culture of the given religious group.