Date of Graduation
2004
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
Committee Chair
Carol A. Markstrom
Abstract
This exploratory analysis examined the sociocultural parameters of 172 Western North American Indian tribes to determine if patterns would emerge in relation to personal naming practices. Five sociocultural parameters (fixity of settlement, dominant form of polygamy, descent pattern, postnuptial residence, and geographical/cultural area) and four personal naming dimensions (nicknames, timing of naming, name bestower, and naming ceremonies) were selected for analysis. Loglinear regressions were conducted. With an alpha level of .05, six significant relationships emerged: 1) nicknaming practices and polygamy, p = .0326, 2) nicknaming practices and descent patterns, p = .0574, 3) timing of naming and the geographical/cultural area, p = .0378, 4) name bestower and geographical/cultural area, p = .0094, 5) geographical/cultural area and naming ceremonies, p = .0009, and 6) descent patterns and naming ceremonies, p = .0008. The results indicate that a relationship does exist between sociocultural parameters and naming practices of Western North American Indians.
Recommended Citation
Compton, Elizabeth L., "An exploratory analysis of personal naming practices of Western North American Indians." (2004). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10826.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10826