People's Names: A Cross-Cultural Reference Guide to the Proper Use of over 40,000 Personal and Familial Names in over 100 Cultures

by Holly Ingraham

The kind of reference guide that sidetracks researchers in the library stacks and can be an invaluable aid to fiction writers searching for just the right nomenclature for a Turkish character. The volume lists contemporary and historical names from almost every world culture and country, including each group's specific naming rules (the family name is put first in Japan, Korea, and Hungary) and a pronunciation guide. The breezy essays beginning each section are snippets of historical information and cultural tidbits. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Genres: Writing, Research, Reference

613 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a FABULOUS reference work on names -- any writer should seek it out and purchase a copy immediately. Not only does it list Western European names, it also covers many part of Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and includes an entire section on historical names from the ancient world, from the Dark and Middle Ages, and from the Renaissance. While one could argue it isn't complete, it would be difficult to imagine such a book EVER being truly complete, and so my hat's off to author Holly Ingraham, and publisher McFarland for putting this most excellent reference work on the market. Not certain if it's still in print; if not, go directly to eBay or a used book dealer and look for a copy; it's well worth your time and trouble.