FIRST NAMES IN THE TWO GENERATIONS OF THE BOSNIACS

Abstract

First names have always been a part of the tradition shared by many people and observed without reservations. This tradition is preserved even today. However, some people are losing this aspect of national awareness. The tradition is no longer respected and the identity is lost. This is the case with the Bosniacs today. For four hundred years children were given beautiful Muslim names, the same ones given to Muslim children throughout the world. Of course, these names were phonetically adapted to our language. The recent period was characterized by the practice of giving popular new and “modern” names, which sometimes appear to sound nice but have no meaning. In fact, they are sometime even repulsive because of what they sound like or what they mean. Unfortunately, this is the issue that is not sufficiently explored or discussed. We should raise the awareness of the people about the importance of the first names, which is something the intellectuals, such as educators and religious workers, should work on.