摘 要

    姓名，作为人类发展史的印记，历经时代的变迁。姓名由最初的区别事物发展到封建社会的统治工具再到寄予美好祝愿的媒介。随着文明的深入发展和跨文化交流的增多，姓名研究已成为推动中西交往的一个重大课题。这是因为透过姓名的演变发展历程，我们可以窥见相应社会的文化内涵。姓名是人类文明的催生物，同时也推动了文明的进一步发展。本文主要讲述中英姓名的历史起源、宗教在各自姓名文化中的反映，在内部语法结构和外部文化作用下的中英不同取名方式以及由此影射出的文化内涵。其中文化内涵对比主要包括集体主义和个人主义，汉语的隐喻性和英语的直白性和中英社会的女性歧视。姓名与每个人息息相关，虽然简短却折射出鲜活的历史。经历过几千年岁月洗礼的姓名也随着历史的流动发生着变化。
  
关键词：姓名；文化内涵；历史起源；宗教信仰；取名方式

Abstract

As a symbol of the development of human society, name has been changing over times. It develops from the signs of distinguishing different things through the assistant facility of feudal society to the ways of expressing good wishes for whoever gains it. With the further development of civilization and the increase of communication between different cultures, the research of names has become an important task to promote the mutual relationship. That is because the cultural connotations of different cultures can be reflected from the process of name evolvement. Name is the production of human civilization and will accelerate its further advancement as well. This article mainly deals with the origins of Chinese and English names, religious reflection, ways to select names in China and English speaking countries from internal (grammar angle) and external (culture factors) structure and respective cultural reflections, which include collectivism and individualism, metaphor in Chinese and directness in English and sexual discrimination in both Chinese and English societies. Brief as it is, name is closely connected with each individual and records the fresh history and it has been varying over ages.

Keywords: names; cultural connotations; historical origins; religious beliefs; ways to select names

Chapter 1 Introduction
    Names of persons are a particular phenomenon of human society and they are closely related with a nation's politics, economy, religion and especially the value viewpoint. Distinguishing the similarities and differences of Chinese and English names can explore the occurrence of value viewpoint of respective culture.
    Names appeared in Chinese and English ancient society for the same reason that it could be used as a symbol to differentiate various tribes, which would benefit the management. However relative lateness of  the appearance of English names compared with that of Chinese names and individual name order can demonstrate their original difference of viewpoint. The further discussion about name origin can be seen in Chapter 2.