Motivational factors behind the adoption of biblical place names in different parts of the world

Abstract

This paper examines the potential motivational factors behind the adoption of place names of biblical origin in distinct parts of the world. In Europe, the use of biblical place names for newly established settlements began in the Middle Ages, in accordance with the prevailing intellectual orientation of the era. The biblical place name may have been transferred to a European settlement metaphorically, based on the actual or perceived similarity of the environment or population; metonymically, by adopting the title of the local church referring to a biblical place; or symbolically, because of the remoteness of the place. In medieval Hungary, however, relevant settlement names were mostly derived from personal names developed from biblical place names, and typically identified the early owners of the settlements. In contrast, many recent Hungarian minor names of biblical toponymic references are either metaphorical or ironic in nature. The transfer of biblical place names to North America during the Age of Exploration, Colonisation and Immigration was often a symbolic act. Initially, these names were used by settlers to reflect their Christian values and commitment, or to comment on the circumstances of the founding of their settlements. Later, as pioneers migrated westwards to establish new settlements, they occasionally commemorated their hometowns or European birthplaces that bore biblical place names by repeating their names in the Wild West. Place names of biblical origin have often been transferred, sometimes in clusters, to various other settlements around the world as a result of missionary zeal or commendation. The adoption and use of place names from the Bible has contributed to the transmission and preservation of Christian religious heritage through the connotative expressiveness of toponyms.