Comparative etymological analysis of naming traditions in English and Azerbaijani

This article provides a comparative etymological analysis of naming traditions in English and Azerbaijani, focusing on the linguistic, historical, and cultural foundations of personal names. Personal names serve not only as identifiers but also as important cultural and social indicators that reflect a society’s values, beliefs, and historical experience. Through the study of naming traditions, it is possible to trace linguistic contacts, cultural influences, and changes in social structure over time. The research examines the etymological origins and semantic characteristics of personal names in both languages. English naming traditions are largely influenced by Germanic, Latin, Greek, and biblical sources, which entered the language through historical events such as Christianization and the Norman Conquest. Azerbaijani naming traditions, on the other hand, have been shaped mainly by Turkic roots, as well as strong Arabic and Persian influences due to religious, literary, and cultural interactions. The article compares the structural features and meanings of names in both languages and identifies similarities and differences in their formation and usage. The findings indicate that despite linguistic and historical differences, English and Azerbaijani naming traditions fulfill similar social and cultural functions. This research contributes to the fields of comparative linguistics and onomastics and may serve as a useful resource for students studying linguistics, philology, and intercultural communication.