Psycholinguistic Perspectives on Jordanian University Students’ Attitudes toward Uncommon Arabic Personal Names

Authors

  • Ronza Abu Rumman

    Department of English Language and Literature, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
  • Ahmad S Haider

    Department of English Language and Translation, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11937, Jordan
  • Mohammed Dagamseh

    Department of Linguistics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
  • Hadeel Saed

    Department of English Language and Translation, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11937, Jordan
  • Malaak Is-haqat

    Department of English Language and Literature, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
  • Sausan Abu Tair

    Department of English Language and Translation, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11937, Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.8849
Received: 2 January 2025 | Revised: 6 March 2025 | Accepted: 17 March 2025 | Published Online: 22 March 2025

Abstract

Personal names are fundamental linguistic and social markers that influence identity, self-perception, and societal interactions. This study examines the attitudes of Jordanian university students toward uncommon Arabic personal names, focusing on their perceptions of the social and psychological implications of these names. A dataset of unusual Arabic names was extracted from the University of Jordan Yearbook (2019/2020), identifying names that appeared only once. A structured 13-item questionnaire was administered to 150 University of Jordan students, with validation conducted by a panel of psycholinguistics experts. Results indicate that 74% of students hold positive attitudes toward uncommon names, with 76% willing to name their children accordingly. Perceived benefits include individuality and distinction, whereas concerns focus on potential social ridicule. Students attribute the rise of unique names to societal shifts, cultural identity, and influences from modernisation. Gender differences emerged, with students favouring uncommon names for females more than males due to associations with uniqueness and aesthetic appeal. The findings highlight the intricate relationship between language, culture, and individual identity, providing a deeper understanding of the psychological and societal factors that shape name perception. This study offers insights into the evolving linguistic landscape of Arabic personal naming conventions, bridging the fields of sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics.

Keywords:

Psycholinguistics; Personal Names; Sociolinguistics; Name Perception; Jordanian Students; Arabic Names

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How to Cite

Rumman, R. A., Haider, A. S., Dagamseh, M., Saed, H., Is-haqat, M., & Tair, S. A. (2025). Psycholinguistic Perspectives on Jordanian University Students’ Attitudes toward Uncommon Arabic Personal Names. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(4), 66–77. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.8849

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 4 (April 2025): In Progress

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Ronza Abu Rumman, Ahmad S Haider, Mohammed Dagamseh, Hadeel Saed, Malaak Is-haqat, Sausan Abu Tair

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.