Tajik names have a long history of their formation and development. During this time, the nation has been subjected to pressure from other cultures and religions many times. A significant impact was exerted by the Arab people as the most closely located. In general, Tajik anthroponymy has developed under the influence of various cultural, historical, political and socio-social factors. Islam had a huge impact. This religion was widely known as a result of wars and confrontations with Arabs, which forced captive Tajiks to change their faith. In connection with the change of tradition, the names themselves were transformed and the Tajik names themselves. This led to the borrowing of an anthroponymic model in which both the main nickname and the patronym were present, that is, a short link to the genus and ancestors.
Subsequently, the structure of the name began to become more complicated: titles and honorary nicknames were added, which indicated that a person belonged to noble estates. This stratification of society was determined by social etiquette and singled out each position in the government service.
In addition, Tajik names showed the position of the individual in society, not only by the available prefixes, but also by their location in the structure. For example, the title of the Hodge, which was located immediately before the main name, indicated that its owner belonged to the estate of merchants or officials of the chancellery, while the presence of the title at the end of the name meant that the holder was a descendant of the “righteous caliphs”. Thanks to his illustrious ancestors, a person could have one or another title, even if he was not in this service.
After the establishment of Soviet power in Central Asia, class distinctions and restrictions disappeared, and a new anthroponymic system was also established. At this stage, the culture of Russia significantly influenced both the name and language traditions of the country. Honorable nicknames and titles disappeared, instead of them names appeared in the names of the middle name, which also formed under the influence of the Russian anthroponymic model.
Currently, young parents choose Tajik names according to their pronunciation and interpretation, and can also name their child in honor of a respected relative or famous historical figures. Only the prefixes to the main names that are used among peers and show a respectful and friendly attitude in the everyday household environment are preserved. Thus, Tajik names (masculine) are supplemented with the endings "-john", "-sho", "-hon", as well as "-boy". Examples of such nicknames can be Muhammad-john, Rahimba, Davlatsho and others. The following are the most common male names: Orash, Abir, Fayzulloh, Zaylobuddin, Isuf, Kamar, Kamuriddin and others.
Tajik women’s names are supplemented by the components “-niso”, “-mo” and “-hum”. Common are Nodira, Barbigul, Boni, Barfimna, Dilkhokh.
