3: Toponymy and Identity: The Role of Place Names in National and Religious Identity Formation

1. Introduction

Place names—or toponyms—serve far more than a practical geographic function; they are potent symbols of cultural heritage, collective memory, and political identity. In Israel and the surrounding region, the naming and renaming of places have played a crucial role in shaping national and religious identities. This article examines how toponymy intersects with memory, power, and ideology, highlighting the dynamics of place naming as an active process in the construction and contestation of identity.

2. Theoretical Framework: Place Names as Cultural Symbols

Toponymy is widely recognised as a form of cultural narrative and identity assertion (Azaryahu, 1996). Place names carry embedded meanings that connect people to land, history, and tradition (Rose-Redwood et al., 2010). In contested regions, renaming is often a deliberate political act designed to assert sovereignty, erase past narratives, or legitimise new regimes (Light & Young, 2015).

3. Historical Overview in the Context of Israel

3.1 Biblical and Ancient Origins

Many place names in the land of Israel originate from biblical or ancient Semitic roots, reflecting tribal territories, historical events, or religious significance (Rainey, 1996). These names are central to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim sacred histories, each community relating to the land through its own linguistic and cultural lens.

3.2 Imperial and Foreign Influence

Successive empires—Babylonian, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Ottoman—imposed new names or adapted existing ones. This layered toponymy reflects the multicultural and contested history of the land (Stern, 1993). For example, Roman renaming of Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina was intended to symbolically overwrite Jewish claims (Goodman, 1989).

4. Modern National and Religious Identity Formation

4.1 The Zionist Revival of Hebrew Place Names

With the rise of Zionism, reviving ancient Hebrew place names became a cultural and political project to reclaim historical Jewish connection to the land (Ben-David, 2002). Restoring biblical names to cities, towns, and natural landmarks affirmed Jewish national identity and legitimacy.

4.2 Arab and Palestinian Toponymy

Conversely, Arabic place names in Palestine reflect centuries of Arab presence and cultural identity (Barber, 1997). Many Arabic toponyms preserve earlier Semitic roots but also assert a distinct Palestinian identity, especially in the context of territorial disputes.

5. Place Names in Contemporary Political Discourse

The act of naming remains deeply political. Israeli and Palestinian authorities often contest place names as part of broader struggles over land, heritage, and sovereignty (Kliot, 2002). The renaming of streets, neighbourhoods, and settlements is common, signalling shifts in power and narrative control.

6. Case Studies

  • Jerusalem: The city’s multiple names (Yerushalayim, Al-Quds, Aelia Capitolina) embody competing religious and national identities.
  • Hebron/Chevron: Dual usage reflects Jewish and Palestinian narratives coexisting and contesting the same space.
  • Tel Aviv: A modern Hebrew name symbolising renewal and Jewish modernity, contrasting with older Arabic place names nearby.

7. Conclusion

Place names in Israel and its environs are not static labels but dynamic symbols embedded with meaning, power, and identity. Understanding the politics of toponymy offers crucial insight into the region’s cultural conflicts and aspirations. The naming and renaming processes reveal how geography, memory, and ideology are intertwined in the ongoing negotiation of national and religious identities.

References

  • Azaryahu, M. (1996). The Power of Commemorative Street Names. Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 14(3), 311–330.
  • Barber, M. (1997). The Arab World and Its Names. Routledge.
  • Ben-David, G. (2002). The Revival of Hebrew Place Names. Jerusalem: Magnes Press.
  • Goodman, M. (1989). Rome and Jerusalem: The Clash of Ancient Civilisations. Vintage.
  • Kliot, N. (2002). Place Names in Israel’s Ideological Struggle. Geographical Review, 92(2), 193–204.
  • Light, D., & Young, C. (2015). Toponymy as Commodity: Exploring the Economic Dimensions of Urban Place Naming. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 39(3), 435–450.
  • Rainey, A. F. (1996). Biblical Hebrew and Its Historical Context. Eisenbrauns.
  • Rose-Redwood, R., Alderman, D., & Azaryahu, M. (2010). Geographies of Toponymic Inscription: New Directions in Critical Place-Name Studies. Progress in Human Geography, 34(4), 453–470.
  • Stern, M. (1993). Greek and Latin in the Near East. Brill.

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