The Onomastic Treasures of the CIA

Abstract

During the Cold War, the United States Central Intelligence Agency prepared documents on personal names for more than 30 languages, from the familiar (German, Russian) to the exotic (Gujerati, Telegu) and from those with relative few speakers (Estonian 1.35 million) to those with many millions (Chinese 610 million). The reports range in length from 14 pages (Slovenian) to 433 pages (Russian). The median number of pages is 46. While the documents vary in quality and coverage, they all contain much of onomastic value. Most have sections giving background on naming in the language, style of name use, pronunciation, transliteration, given names, family names (where applicable), and the use of titles. Some give the meanings of names and some list special features such as laws regarding naming, patronymics, and rules for women's names.