Onomastics is the study of names and their origins, meanings, and uses. This field explores various types of names, including personal names like John and Maria, as well as place names such as New York and Mount Everest. By examining these names, onomastics helps us understand cultural, historical, and linguistic aspects of societies.
Researchers in onomastics analyze how names evolve over time and their significance in different contexts. For example, the name Smith often indicates a profession related to metalworking, while River in a place name may suggest a geographical feature. This study reveals much about human identity and social structures.