What’s in a name? Names as ideological transmitters of the Salafi‑Jihadi worldview

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.