A Study of Pen Names in Kurdish Poetry

From the inception of Kurdish literature to the present day, a majority of Kurdish poets have opted for pen names to identify themselves as authors of their poems. These pen names are carefully chosen, often drawing from the poet's given name, an honorific title, a poetic or eloquent term, a name linked to religion and Sufism, or a word reflecting the poet's mental, physical, and inner qualities or profession. By adopting these poetic pseudonyms, poets personalize their works and infuse them with their unique identities. The influence of Persian literature is notably evident in this practice. Research on poets' pen names in a language, along with the factors influencing their selection, not only sheds light on societal norms but also reveals the poet's worldview and perception of the world within and around them. Noteworthy aspects include the evolution of pen names over time, the reuse of previous pen names, the presence of multiple pen names for a single poet, and the selection of a specific one based on the context, all of which are distinctive features within Kurdish literature. This study explores the utilization of pen names, the methods behind their selection by poets, and the associated materials in the Kurdish literary tradition.