The names of the leshy (forest spirit) in Russian mythological texts of the Perm region: semantic, structural and functional aspects

The article studies the semantic, structural and functional aspects of the proper names of the leshy that are found in Russian mythological texts collected in various districts of the Perm region. The analysis shows that most of the names of this character in the Perm tradition come from anthroponyms; appellative- based demononyms are formed according to anthroponymic models. The main model for creating the proper names of the leshy is the formula ‘name + patronymic’ (Ivan Grigorievich, Vikhr Vikhrovich), which is sometimes supplemented with a surname (Mitrofan Sergeevich Yagoda). The names of the leshy formed according to this model are characterized by repetitions of roots (Viktor Viktorovich, Leonty Leontyevich, Teretei Tereteyevich, Evrei Evreevich), as well as repetitions of sounds - alliterations and assonances (Shalopai Salopontievich). Sometimes there are single full names of the leshy (uncle Viktor) and nicknames (grandfather Alyi). In some cases, the names of the leshy are supplemented with the terms of kinship (grandfather Teretei Tereteyevich). Among the functions of the names of the leshy, the following can be identified: nominative, anthropomorphizing and personifying, tabooing, vocative, pragmatic, characterizing. The following mythological representations are reflected in the proper names of the leshy: his belonging to the world of demons (Shalopai Salopontievich, grandfather Alyi); his connection with human ancestors (grandfather Teretei Tereteyevich); the form that the demon can take (Vikhr Vikhrovich, Evrei Evreevich); the height of the character, who is supposed to be taller than the human (Shalopai Salopontievich); the resources that the character owns and controls in his locus (Mitrofan Sergeevich Yagoda); the association of the character with the bear (Mikhail Ivanovich); gender; age; position in the ‘demon - human’ hierarchy that is supposed to be higher than that of the human (Viktor Viktorovich, grandfather Teretei Tereteyevich); the need to appease the character (Ivan Grigorievich, Evrey Evreevich, uncle Viktor, grandfather Alyi).