THE SIGNS AND SYMBOLICS OF ÒSÀ ‘GOD’ IN ẸDO PERSONAL NAMES

Abstract

Names are provided at birth, and these include Anthroponyms and
hypocoristics. The naming act in Benin laws and customs states that
any individual must have a patronym plus one or more personal
names. This study was based on the naming customs and traditions
of the Edo people of Benin. Ethnographic process was used to collect
several names as data for the study, from the class list of Linguistics
student’s registration (100 level – 400 level) files in the University of
Benin, and some primary and secondary school registers within Ovia
Northeast, and Ugbowo axis precisely. Some were also collected from
Edo textbooks as secondary data. These names were subjected to the
semiotic analysis of Moris (1964). The findings revealed that most
Names in Benin are linked with God ‘Osa’ because of the strong love
the people have for God (‘Osa’). Symbols are true of the signs in names
associated with “Osa (God)” in Edo personal names because the
meaning the people equate to these names are because of convention.
Thus, their idea of “God” is symbolized in the names they give to their
children after birth. The Benin people hold dear the name of God,
OSA; and so, are inclined to link most of their children’s name to God.