Personal Names: Meaningful or Meaningless

Abstract

Personal names are among most controversial problems in linguistics because of the status of these language units. The article discusses the problem of the meaning of proper nouns and attempts to prove that names are not meaningless and cipher interesting information either used as separate language units or employed in special functions as slangy personal names. The article assigns a special reference to personal names and their meaning in slang context. Such features as polysemy, synonymy, allusiveness and ways of developing a new meaning are discussed in the article and help to prove the significance of proper nouns. Many proper nouns in slang derived from the names of famous politicians, writers or well-known personages, the meaning of which, especially in rhyming slang, may not always be motivated, are analyzed as well. Various examples are used to illustrate the meaning of personal names and reject the idea of meaninglessness.