teknonym

A teknonym is a term used to refer to a parent by the name of their child, such as the father of Omar or the mother of Aisha. It is a conventional kinship reference rather than a legally adopted or personal name, commonly used in everyday speech to identify a parent through their child.

The word teknonymy derives from Greek elements meaning “child” (teknon) and “name” (onoma). The term is used in anthropology to describe this specific pattern of addressing or naming that highlights the parent–child relationship rather than the individual’s given name.

The practice appears in a variety of cultures and languages. In Arabic-speaking communities, a parent may be addressed as Abu Omar (father of Omar) or Umm Omar (mother of Omar). In Yoruba and related Niger-Congo language traditions, forms such as Baba [child’s name] or Iya [child’s name] function similarly to mark paternal or maternal links. Across different societies, teknonyms can serve as respectful or familiar modes of reference and can reflect social status, family structure, and the ongoing bond between parent and child.

Variation and dynamics are common with teknonyms. A parent may be known by teknonym for a particular child, and in families with multiple children or changing circumstances, several teknonyms may exist. As children grow or names change, the teknonym reference can shift, though it may persist in informal speech even when other identifiers change.

In contemporary, global contexts, teknonymy is less often used as a general naming practice but remains an established phenomenon in linguistic and anthropological discussions of kinship and social identity.