A Literary Anthroponomastics of Selected Igbo Plays

Abstract

This paper discusses the literary anthroponomasticsin Igbo plays.It explores names of characters to show the socio-culturalfactors which influence the choice of names and the effect such nameshave on the roles the characters play. Selected Igbo personal names from Nwadike’sNwataBulieNnaya Elu, Nwokelues’sIje Ego,Egwuonwu-Chimezie’sAhụhụNa-Ata Ọjịand Odunke Artists’ Ojaadiliare analysed using the classical or sense theory ofproper names. The study reveals that naming is as important to the Igboas the birth of a child. In literary works too, writers create characters whoseroles in the texts are reinforced by the names they are given. Moreover,the findings of this work prove that the Igbo names given to characters, just as in real life, areinfluenced by the day of birth, gender, circumstances surrounding one’sbirth, the physical appearance of the child, titles taken by a person, his or her prowess, their occupation and their belief, especially religious belief.