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What’s in a name?

Names as ideological transmitters of the Salafi‑Jihadi worldview

ORCiD logo with link | University of Malta
Published online: 30 April 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/jlp.24020.gat
Abstract
This article investigates the role of naming practices in Salafi-Jihadism, emphasising their symbolic importance in conveying ideological goals and beliefs. Employing a qualitative approach, the research analyses naming conventions across different Salafi-Jihadi groups, demonstrating how these names function as a cost-effective means to propagate the Salafi-Jihadi ideology, reinforce loyalty among followers, and incite violence against opponents through deliberate linguistic choices. The study reveals that the effectiveness of Salafi-Jihadi propaganda lies in its strategic reinterpretation of Arabic and Islamic references, which creates a deceptive sense of religious legitimacy and authority. The findings contribute to the fields of socio-linguistics and discourse analysis, providing important insights into the role of the often-overlooked linguistic strategies and ideological motivations embedded in Salafi-Jihadi names.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Understanding Salafism and Jihadism
  • 3.Literature review
  • 4.Methodology
  • 5.Findings
    • 5.1Repetition and emotional appeal
      • 5.1.1Generating obedience and reinforcing control
      • 5.1.2Claiming legitimacy
      • 5.1.3Guaranteeing anonymity
      • 5.1.4Consolidating group identity
      • 5.1.5Fostering myths
      • 5.1.6Reclaiming tradition from the collective memory
      • 5.1.7Transmitting the group’s ideology
      • 5.1.8Legitimating non-Islamic institutions
  • 6.Conclusion
  • References
References (33)
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