Pragmalinguistic Features of Sacred Anthroponyms

This study examines how contemporary Turkic society perceives sacred Muslim names, with particular emphasis on shifting attitudes toward their usage. The usage of sacred anthroponyms in these regions has evolved under the influence of various social, cultural, and historical factors. Muslim names have long been central to the religious and cultural identity of these societies. However, processes such as modernization, globalization, and urbanization have led to substantial changes in their usage. Despite these developments and the growing trend of secularization, the concept of 'sacred anthroponyms' remains an ongoing subject of debate. This paper deals with a significant aspect of Turkic anthroponyms: proper names derived from religious beliefs. A comprehensive methodological approach, integrating both linguistic and sociocultural analyses, facilitates a nuanced understanding of the role of Muslim names in preserving traditional cultural values. This paper aims to investigate the extent to which sacred anthroponyms are preserved across generations within the category of proper names. By analyzing the spiritual and pragmatic features of sacred anthroponyms, the study assesses the influence of socio-cultural transformations on their perception within modern Turkic societies. This study opens up avenues for comparative research in other linguistic or cultural groups undergoing similar socio-cultural transformations, particularly in post-Soviet or Muslim-majority contexts. The findings make a contribution to preserving cultural heritage and understanding naming practices in the context of globalization and provide a basis for future research on the intersection between name choices, self-perception, and social identity.