음성음운형태론연구 30집 3호 Kim, Jong-mi & Go, U-ri
2025.01.14 21:29
[DOI: 10.17959/sppm.2024.30.3.401]
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Sounds of gender: Masculine consonants and feminine vowels in names across languages
Jong-mi Kim (Kangwon National University), U-ri Go (Kangwon National University)
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between phonology and gender in given names across Korea, Bangladesh, Britain, and the United States. It investigated how consonant clusters and final vowels function as gender markers, with a particular focus on consonant clusters in male names and final vowels in female names. The analysis of 2,920 names, comprising 20 popular names per decade from 1880 to 2023, all sourced from official birth registration records, revealed that consonant clusters are more prevalent in male names, suggesting a universal marker of masculinity. Final vowels, on the other hand, strongly indicate femininity in Indo- European languages such as Bengali and English. Historical trends further substantiate this pattern, demonstrating its consistency across timeframes rather than being confined to specific periods. Additionally, the analysis reveals minimal regional variation within countries where the same language is spoken, suggesting that national cultural norms exert a stronger influence than localized differences. These findings underscore how linguistic and regional factors interact to shape gendered naming conventions.
Keywords: consonant clusters, final vowels, gendered names, given names, name phonology, sound symbolism, cross-linguistic comparison
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