On the Origin of the Oikonym Ginùčiai

Abstract

The article explores the evolution and origin of the name of Ginučiai village nestled within Ignalina district municipality. Positioned close to the hillfort presumed to have housed the Linkmenys castle, initially documented in historical records dating back to 1373, the settlement’s history intertwines with this fortress.  Consequently, some earlier studies have linked the oikonym’s formation to the castle's defensive nature, suggesting its origins stems from Lith. gnti(s) ‘to save someone or something from an attack; to repel an attack’.

 Based on the analysis of historical sources spanning from the 16^th to the 20^th century, the earlier form of the oikonym can be reconstructed as *Ginutėnai, initially documented in 1554 and remaining in use until the early 20^th century. It is deduced that the variant Ginùčiai, present in historical documents from the first half of the 17^th century, was prevailing form in common usage. Subsequently, both forms were used interchangeably until the version without the suffix -ėnai gained prominence in the first half of the 20^th century.

The primary form *Ginutėnai is derived from the patronymic personal name *Ginutėnas the likelihood of which is confirmed by the extant surname Ginùtis and historical anthroponyms Piotr Ginutis, Iasiul Ginutaytis, Ginnute, Ginnuttis, and Ginutatis. These names were documented in Ginučiai village or its vicinity from at least the mid-16^th century, suggesting a probable earlier presence in this area. The immergence of the later oikonym form Ginùčiai is associated with the interchangeable usage of oikonyms with or without the suffix -ėnai, evident in the 17^th and 18^th century sources, particularly within church records.