Abstract

One of the efficient tools to identify cultural evolutions and changes in different historical periods is use of name and its evolutions. Recognition of naming evolutions is one of the reliable and useful sources for recognition cultural evolutions in society of Iran.
This paper determines process of public cultural evolutions in Iran from 1962 to 2010 with the theoretical approach of central government and naming process analysis. 50 names with high frequency from 1962 to 2010 that almost involve 60 percent of naming in every year analyzed and classified according to cultural trends behind them. Results show Islamic-National naming trend has been the most dominant trend in cultural context in recent years. The most important evolution in this trend is its significant increase in Reform period (1998-2006). Also results show application process of Traditional-Islamic names has declined in society of Iran. Trend to Modern-Islamic names increased in 1979. Trend to Ideological-Islamic names has had significant relation to revolution. This naming trend began in 1978 and increased in revolution period. The names that are related to Ancient-Iranian culture increased before revolution but this trend reduced with beginning of revolution but again increased significantly in construction period (1990-1998). One of the emerging trends in naming context is Modern-Iranian trend. This trend has expanded after war period in public culture.