ABSTRACT
This study aims to examinepersonal naming expressions as a means of identity projection in Itsekiri. The study relied on utterances gathered from primary sources. The oral data which made up the primary data were elicited from competent native speakers of Itsekiri language. The interviewees were residents of Delta State whose ages range from fifty years and above. The respondents were old people (comprising of men and women), women in the market,family friends (men and women) and the researcher's father. Interviews were conducted as an instrument for data collection by means of a question and answer method and also through recordings of conversational discourses in meetings and family time. The data collected were recorded using a voice recorder which were then written down for organization and categorical analysis. The theoretical framework employed for the research is the identity theory framework by Place (1965). The findings revealed how names function as a means of projecting individual and communal identity in Itsekiri. It highlights various types of names, such as philosophical, birth-related, death-related, reincarnation, religious, and those reflecting wealth or royal status, each contributing to the shaping of identity. Philosophical names express cultural values and worldviews, such as humility, fate, and divine submission, while birth-related names highlight personal resilience and survival. Death-related names link individuals to family histories of loss and survival, reinforcing communal ties. Reincarnation names reflect the belief in spiritual continuity, affirming connections to ancestors. Religious names, particularly those invoking God, project the family’s faith and divine reliance. Wealth and appearance-based names align the individual with social and economic status, while royal names assert belonging to a noble lineage. The study concludes that names in the Itsekiri culture are not merely labels but powerful symbols of identity, linking individuals to their heritage, social status, and spiritual beliefs. This study demonstrates the significant role of personal naming expressions in the Itsekiri community as a means of projecting identity. Further research in this area can continue to explore the intricate nature of names and their significance within the broader linguistic landscape of Itsekiri and other Nigerian languages.
