Socio-cultural Significance of Pet Names in Igbo Traditional Society-Akumjika Chikamma Michael

Abstract: In the Igbo culture, a pet name is not a mere social label; it embodies socio-cultural signification. This study examines the sociocultural values of pet names in Igbo traditional society. The article focuses on how societal ideologies influence pet name bestowal in Igbo society. It adopts an ethnographic approach using semi-structured interviews and participant observation with thirty (30) participants purposively sampled from the core Igbo States, namely Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. Pet names were collected and categorized into relevant thematic frames. The analysis is based on a descriptive method driven by socio-onomastics theory. The findings reveal that pet names are not used only based on emotions. In the traditional Igbo society, pet names are given based on socio-cultural values and worldviews. The study concludes that pet names are not given because of their aesthetic value but because they reflect the bearers’ and givers' socio-cultural identity and ideology.

Keywords: Naming; pet names; socio-onomastics; Igbo worldview; socio-cultural values.