| Abstract [eng] |
The subject of this final master's thesis is modern names of dogs given by Lithuanians or owners in Lithuania. The research material consists of 1,537 dog names collected in September–October 2024. The data was collected by organizing an online survey on the “Google Formsˮ platform, as well as surveying at the “Visų veislių (CAC)ˮ dog show in the Trakai district. A total of 1,506 respondents participated in the survey, of which 1,495 completed the survey online and the remaining 11 completed it during the show. The aim of the study was to reveal the onomastic motivation and usage of modern names of dogs. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were set: 1) to describe the methodological basis of the study and discuss the concept of zoonyms and scientists' insights into animal names; 2) based on survey data, to classify and analyze dog names according to their onomastic motivation; 3) to investigate the usage of names and the view of owners towards dog names. The following methods were used in the study: the descriptive method was applied when discussing the concept of zoonyms, the traditions and motivation behind naming various domestic animals, and briefly describing the classification of nicknames given to people. Survey and interviews were used to collect research material. The qualitative analysis method was used to examine the characteristics of modern names of dogs based on the collected data. The survey results were classified and analyzed using the onomastic motivation method, which identified the motives for naming dogs. The quantitative characteristics of the study were illustrated using mathematical data calculation methods. The interpretative method was used to analyze the respondents' answers, while the analytical method was used to compare, systematize, and classify the results. The study revealed that modern names of dogs are most often clearly motivated and are divided into three sections: names given for personal reasons by the owner; names given according to the dog's characteristics; names given because of the relationship with the dog. The reasons for the names given to dogs by the respondents show that pets are most often named based on the characteristics of the name, the owner's hobbies, and the physical characteristics of the pet. Owners are less likely to choose Lithuanian dog names. Dogs are kept because of the owners' lifestyle, practical benefits, the characteristics of dogs, or experience in keeping this type of animal – this attitude toward dogs indirectly encourages the use of names with positive or neutral connotations. It has been noted that most dogs are also given emotional names. The most common dog names are Arčis, Bruknė, Bruno, Enzo, Gilė, Lokis and Toras. |
