Abstract:
The study examined the divergent categories of the lexical items that form Nandi names using a
morpho-semantic approach. Exploratory research was applied. The native Nandi dialect speakers from
the Kalenjin language formed the target population. The study area covered 30 Nandi County wards
in Kenya, which produced 240 respondents; comprising Nandi dialect speaking native elders. Focus
group discussion was used to collect data from 30 groups consisting of 8 elders each. Data analysis
used the morpho-semantical approach; thereby analysing people’s names. Data was presented using
tables and narratives. The findings showed that prefixes strengthen ownership of the noun in Nandi
names. The suffix -et refers to itself, but, with the suffix deleted, prefixes ‘kip’ and ‘jep’ make names
be owned by the noun used to signify son or daughter born during grasshopper invasion (son or
daughter of the grasshopper). Suffixes are eliminated and prefixes affixed to impart significance to a
name. The suffix -et in the phrase Koiyet indicates wealth, which is eliminated and the noun ‘goi’ is
employed in naming. Names bearing the form of ‘teknonymy’, to refer to parents. ‘Kobot Arusei’
name means mother of the grey bull, and connects the nouns ‘Kobot’ and ‘Arusei’. Most names come
from time, seasons and events (which are linguistic nature). Majority of kinship phrases get derived
from nouns; whereby several nouns compound to form kinship terms. The Nandi kinship names use
plural marker to affinity connections names. This study contributes critical anthroponomical
knowledge pertaining to the Nandi language and the understanding of the nature of Nandi identities.
Emerging Nandi generations need to take cognizance of this lexical diversity to maintain the
community values, traditions and the essence of naming. It is necessary for divergent lexical categories
that have defined naming among the Nandi to be maintained under communal intervention.
