Environmental determinant of religious names: A study of Úgwú and naming among the Nsukka-Igbo people of Nigeria

This article makes a contribution towards understanding the correlation between Úgwú (hill or mountain) and personal names among Igbo people of Nigeria. Sacralisation natural environment which include hills mountains is belief that cuts across religions. Among Igbo, perceived sacred value placed on such prompted series socio-cultural changes. Personal are usually drawn from deified entities as earth, sun, rivers, so on. Studies portrayed environmental determinant for in different Igbo-subcultures. However, pattern Nsukka-Igbo names, influenced specifically by has hardly gotten any scholarly attention. study, therefore, provided evidence single most element shaped culture naming with its psycho-social economic implications. Drawing theory sacralisation, stresses placing religious values objects, this showed an unprecedented frequency exclusive nature study area. Documentary research, observation interview methods were used to collect analyse secondary, well primary data study. The drew attention increasing influence Nsukka-Igbo, effects conservation occasioned deification Úgwú.Contribution: shows associated variants