Theonymology

Theonymology is a branch of onomastics and religious studies dedicated to the study of theonyms—the names of deities and other divine figures. It examines how divine names arise, what they signify, how they are formed, transmitted, and used across languages and cultures. It distinguishes primary theonyms (the names themselves) from related forms such as epithets, titles, and theonyms in phrases.

Methods and scope: Theonymology uses linguistics, philology, archaeology, historical documentation, and textual criticism. It investigates etymology, semantic content, and the cultural concepts associated with a deity. It tracks changes over time, regional variations, and contact-induced borrowings. It also analyzes the role of theonyms in ritual practice, liturgy, invocations, and in personal names and place names. It contributes to understanding how people conceptualize divinity and how religious identity is encoded in language.

Examples and challenges: Across traditions theonyms vary from simple names to compound forms with attributes. Examples include Semitic theonyms such as El and Yahweh, and Hellenic theonyms such as Zeus or Athena. The study often contends with fragmentary texts, scribal practices, and the overlapping use of theonyms with titles or epithets. It may also address modern reception, translation, and the politics of divine names.

Relation to other fields: Theonymology sits at the crossroads of linguistics, theology, anthropology, and history, and while it aims for linguistic and historical analysis, it must respect living religious beliefs and scholarly boundaries.