Zoonymi

Zoonymi refers to the set of zoonyms, names that incorporate or are derived from animals. In onomastics and toponymy, a zoonym can be a geographic name, a personal name, a corporate brand, or a fictional name whose form or meaning centers on an animal reference. The term is used by some scholars to distinguish animal-based names from other classes of proper names, with zoonyms as a focal category for analysis of symbolism, identity, and landscape.

Etymology and terminology: zoonymi is the plural form of zoonym, derived from the Greek zoon meaning “animal” and onoma meaning “name.” The singular and plural forms appear in scholarly discussions, though usage is not universally standardized across languages or subfields.

Scope and patterns: Zoonyms occur in various domains. In toponymy, direct animal references are common (for example, place names containing the words for bear, wolf, or eagle) as are metaphorical or attribute-based references (names evoking speed, strength, or cunning). In anthroponymy and branding, zoonyms appear in mascots, product names, and fictional worlds, where animal imagery signals traits or affiliations. Cross-linguistic studies examine how different cultures encode animals in names and how meanings shift over time.

Methods: Researchers compile and analyze corpora of names from gazetteers, registries, literature, and media. Analyses focus on etymology, semantic fields, cultural associations with animals, and diachronic change, often incorporating folklore, ecology, and symbolism.

See also: onomastics, toponymy, anthroponymy, branding, animal symbolism.