Naming

Naming is the practice of assigning names to people, places, objects, and ideas to enable reference and communication. Names function as social identifiers, cognitive anchors, and vectors of meaning, shaping how speakers categorize and recall the world.

The study of proper names is onomastics, a field that intersects linguistics, anthropology, and history. Names encode information about lineage, origin, culture, and status, and they may change across lifetimes or through migration.

Naming conventions in specialized domains are often codified to ensure clarity and stability. The scientific community uses codes such as the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants; the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature; and the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. In chemistry, IUPAC provides systematic naming rules. In computing, identifiers and namespaces organize names to prevent collisions in software and data.

Social and cultural dimensions of naming include personal names given at birth, changes through marriage or legal processes, and name choices influenced by religion, tradition, or personal preference. Brand and product naming is a commercial practice that aims for memorability and appeal, while place names (toponyms) preserve history and geography.

In information systems and data management, naming underpins searchability and interoperability. Name disambiguation, aliasing, transliteration, and localization are common tasks when handling multilingual or multi-entity data.