Omar Mohammad-Ameen Ahmad Hazaymeh

Gender, and Religion: The Typology of Female Names in Sudan

Introduction

Gender, and religion: the typology of female names in sudan. Analyze the impact of Islam on female names in Sudan using semantic analysis. Discover how Islamic heritage shapes identity, culture, and religious values in Sudanese society.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of Islam on the choice of female names in Sudan through a semantic analytical approach to explore female names associated with Islam from a cultural and religious perspective. The research’s motivation stems from the significant role that names play in identity formation and the transmission of cultural and religious values. Despite the extensive body of literature on Islamic naming traditions, little attention has been given to the specific case of Sudan. This study hopes to contribute in showing how Islam affects names in Sudanese society. To achieve this, female names associated with Islam were collected from various Sudanese regions to shed light on their types. As for the methodology, after collecting the names they were categorized under headings to show the Islamic sources from which they were taken. The study relied on the works in the theoretical framework about names in their cultural, social and religious contexts and those explore Islamic and Arabic onomastics. The findings reveal that many Sudanese female names are deeply rooted in Islamic heritage, reflecting moral and spiritual values that parents wish to instill in their children. Some names are intentionally chosen to affirm religious identity, reinforcing the connection between personal identity and the broader Islamic religious framework. This research contributes to the field by highlighting the impact of religion in naming practices. It reflects the importance of raising awareness about the socio-religious significance of names and recommends integrating these discussions into educational curricula. The study calls for initiatives that encourage parents to engage with Islamic heritage in naming their children while also considering the broader cultural and historical dimensions of Sudanese society and to promote a deeper understanding of the cultural and religious significance of names in shaping identity, social belonging, and conveying religious values.

Review

The proposed study, "Gender, and Religion: The Typology of Female Names in Sudan," offers a timely and relevant exploration into the intricate relationship between religious identity and naming practices within a specific cultural context. The abstract effectively outlines a clear research objective: to semantically analyze the impact of Islam on female naming choices in Sudan. By highlighting the significant role of names in identity formation and cultural transmission, and by addressing a recognized gap in the literature concerning Sudanese naming traditions, the study positions itself to make a valuable contribution to the fields of onomastics, cultural anthropology, and religious studies. The methodology, involving the collection and categorization of names from diverse Sudanese regions based on their Islamic sources, appears sound and appropriate for achieving the stated goals. A significant strength of this research lies in its focused geographical and cultural lens, promising to provide unique insights into a region often underrepresented in broader academic discussions of Islamic naming. The findings, which indicate a deep rooting of Sudanese female names in Islamic heritage and their role in reflecting moral values and affirming religious identity, underscore the profound socio-religious significance embedded in personal nomenclature. The study's ambition to raise awareness about this significance, alongside its recommendations for educational integration and parental engagement with Islamic heritage, demonstrates a commendable commitment to generating not only academic knowledge but also fostering a deeper cultural understanding within Sudanese society. While the abstract presents a robust framework, there are opportunities for further refinement to enhance the study's overall impact and fully align with its title. The inclusion of "Gender" in the title suggests a deeper analysis beyond simply focusing on "female names"; explicitly exploring how gender itself influences the *typology* or *choice* of these Islamic names, perhaps by contrasting them with male naming patterns or examining specific gendered virtues, would enrich this dimension. Furthermore, while the categorization by "Islamic sources" is a good start, elaborating on what constitutes the "typology" of names (e.g., categories based on historical figures, Quranic terms, virtues, or symbolic meanings) would provide greater analytical depth. Finally, while encouraging engagement with Islamic heritage, a brief acknowledgement of any existing indigenous or non-Islamic naming traditions and their potential interaction with Islamic influences could offer a more comprehensive understanding of the Sudanese naming landscape.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.