Naming as a Cultural Phenomenon: Historical and Current Perspectives ¹¹²⁸

In the framework of L. S. Vygotsky cultural-historical theory the new concept — «naming» — is proposed. It is defined as a social tool of selfimage development, joining different readings (forms) of a person's name as certain aspects of his / her personality. The main sacred and «personality-building» form of naming is a first name and is in detail discussed in the article from ontological point of view. In Christian civilization personal (first) name takes on a very important role in culture as well as in private spiritual life. General ideas on a child's appropriation of his / her name in the first year of life as the first personal category are outlined. The article describes several aspects of attitude towards name forms in the history of culture. Taking into consideration lack of scientific evidence in this interdisciplinary sphere, the author proposes a wide research programme of different branches of naming phenomenology in the frames of developmental psychology.

Keywords: naming, name, nickname, sobriquet, children's and teenagers' subculture, level of social development of a community, L. S. Vygotsky

Column: Theory and Methodology