A Linguistic Study of Tiv Naming System

Anlhroponomastics is the study of personal names. It falls under the umbrella ofO nomastics which is the science that studies names, theirforms and uses. This study explores the way the ancient Tiv named their children and how it is done at present. The history and migration of the people, and their interaction with other ethnic groups, and how this has affected their naming pattern were examined. The genetic affdiation and typological classification of Tiv language were discussed. Finally, the naming practice and the various naming patterns in Tiv language were discussed. The work draws a conclusion that Tiv people give names that are meaningful and are classified into types, based on the various situations that warranted or generated such names. Their naming practice is not ceremonial. So the article recommends attitudinal transformation because naming is a celebration of life.