Thesis (M.A. (Translation Studies and Linguistics)) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / This study analyse given and inherited names among the Northern Sotho speaking people in Moletjie and Sekhukhune. The study indicates that names are some of the most important things in people’s lives. It has been indicated that naming cannot be taken for granted as a name serves as an important identity feature. A person without a name is an incomplete person. The study has revealed that the people in Moletjie and Sekhukhune bestow names to people based on ancestors, totems, marriage and initiation schools.