Abstract
<jats:p>Anthroponyms in epic texts are directly related to the character's role in the plot. This thesis is particularly relevant in the research of the epic hero’s name, as according to the laws of the genre, the hero's image contains fundamental features that are characteristic of both a specific epic tradition and the cultural complex of an ethnic group. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between the name and the plot role of the ancestor-hero in the Evenki epic, which has not been the subject of special attention by folklore specialists. The research objectives included identifying the names of typological images that most clearly reflect the character's plot function, as well as determining the etymology and cultural genesis of the selected names and images. The research methodology was based on an interdisciplinary approach to the study of folklore, allowing the use of various scholarly fields. The main research method used in the research was the linguo-semiotic analysis of folklore texts. The research was based on texts of the epic genre of the Eastern Evenki people, recorded by G. M. Vasilevich, G. I. Varlamova, A. N. Myreeva, A. V. Romanova, and other scholars in Tungus Studies. The study of the texts of Evenki folklore demonstrated the validity of the thesis about the organic relationship between a character's name and their role in the plot, which is most clearly evident in the epic genre. The typological image of the hero of the Evenki epic is the first ancestor – a demiurge who is born in the mythological era of creation, invents the first tools, and masters the art of hunting. Despite the diversity of the Evenki epic hero’s anthroponyms, there are some particularly striking and iconic names that most clearly reflect their role in the story. The results of the research allow us to conclude that the name of the typological ancestor-hero reflects the process of the Siberian landscape formation, emphasizes the role of the Evenki ancestor and his status as master of the Middle World. The typology of the archer-hero’s name is originally associated with the mythological image of the first human-hunter and is determined by the crucial role of the bow as a tool and a fundamental element of Proto-Tungus culture. The names and typological images of the Evenki epic heroes are directly related to the plots and images of Tungus-Manchu mythology.</jats:p>