Given names in the traditional Bamanan area of Mali are in the domain of the sacred, and are specific to the individual. The beliefs and practices surrounding naming--sacrifices, incantatory formulas, and prayers--attest to its importance. Naming customs differ in different places. In the Bamanan zone of southern Mali, the name is given in a ceremony a week or 2 after birth. Many of the traditional naming customs and even names are disappearing under the influence of Islam, Catholicism, or Protestantism. Among traditional given names, 2 major categories were distinguished, those reflecting birth order and those reflecting important events. Names reflecting birth order have become rare. Most names reflecting events are intended to be happy or propitious for the infant. Names are also given for the days of the week, for children of mothers who have lost several preceding children, for children resulting from adulterous unions, and for those born during organized activities of secret societies. Some children are named to honor ancestors.