The role of context in creating names∗

A study of how people name novel referents was presented. Subjects created names for individuals characterized by role descriptions. The role descriptions were either embedded in context scenarios or not. The Context Embedded condition elicited names that were less directly and literally based on the actual content of the role descriptions than did the Context Free condition. Context scenarios that involved the individual denoted by the role description elicited names less literally based on the actual role description than did less involving scenarios. Less literal names appeared to directly “incorporate” context material. The importance and potential influences of contextual variables on naming were discussed.