Аңдатпа
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the structural characteristics and semantic content of oikonyms in the Qaratau region. The study aims to identify the structural system and lexical-semantic features of Qaratau oikonyms by examining their formation methods and semantic properties to reveal patterns in regional toponym development. Oikonyms are linguistic units used to name geographical objects, reflecting local worldview, historical events, attitudes toward nature, and cultural experience. The study identifies synthetic (affixal), analytical (compounding and word combinations), and lexical-semantic word-formation methods in the creation of oikonyms. Semantic analysis further classifies them into names with physical-geographical, historical-ethnographic, historical-cultural, and socio-social significance. A combination of research methods was employed, including systematization and classification, structural-semantic analysis, descriptive, and statistical approaches. The research analyzed 188 oikonyms in the region, divided into the following categories: anthropo-oikonyms (based on personal names) – 26; color-based oikonyms – 49; hydrographic – 21; phytonymic – 27; orographic (mountains, hills, ridges, etc.) – 23; and names with socio-economic and social significance – 42. The findings provide a theoretical basis for Kazakh onomastic studies, enrich regional linguistic cartography and linguocultural analysis, and reveal the historical, cultural, and social value of Qaratau oikonyms.