A Socio- Cultural and Linguistic Analysis of Gbagyi Names

Names apart from serving as makers of individuals’ identities reveal the deep rooted socio semantic and cultural values, experience, prevailing situations and philosophies of a given society. The focus of this paper therefore, is on the structure and socio-semantic and cultural importance of Gbagyi names and their relevance to cultural promotion and identity of Gbagyi nation. It will also examine the various perspectives leading to the understanding of Gbagyi names and the meanings of Gbagyi names to their society. The method of data collection employed in collecting data for the work is that of interaction with the Gbagyi native speakers. Written materials on Gbagyi were also consulted to elicit Data. Direct observations among native speakers of the language also formed part of the method of data collection employed. The Data collected were analysed based on the structure and meaning of Gbagyi given names. The paper,though may not be as exhaustive provides an insight into the structure and semantics and values of Gbagyi personal names as reveals the implications and importance of names to the bearers in Gbagyi and to the general public at large.