ԱՐՑԱԽԻ ԲՆԱԿԱՎԱՅՐԵՐԻ ԱՆՎԱՆԱԿՈՉՄԱՆ ՍԿԶԲՈՒՆՔՆԵՐԸ ԵՒ ԻՄԱՍՏԱՅԻՆ ԽՄԲԵՐԻ ԴԱՍԱԿԱՐԳՈՒՄԸ

<jats:p>SUMMARY The historical development of the toponymic system of Artsakh is divided into five main periods—from the ancient period to the era of independence. This study examines the list of oikonyms from the period of independence of the unrecognized Nagorno‑Karabakh Republic (1991—2020), which, on the one hand, serves as a concise reflection of the evolution of the toponymic system of Artsakh and, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive overview of the patterns operating within that system. Based on the results of the study, two main principles of naming settlements in the toponymic system of Artsakh can be identified: 1. Reflection of natural conditions and geographical realities. 2. Reflection of socioeconomic conditions. 1. Throughout history, the toponymic system of Artsakh has consistently reflected natural conditions and geographical realities. Classified by semantic fields, this study examines natural oikonyms containing designations associated with the terms “gorge,” “area,” “rock,” “mountain,” “barn,” “land,” “water,” “spring,” “river,” “place,” and “tree/shrub/grove.” 2. Oikonyms based on socioeconomic realities are considered toponymic monuments. They are classified into three semantic fields: a) oikonyms based on personal names, b) oikonyms reflecting socioeconomic phenomena and political realities, c) oikonyms created based on a combination of geographical descriptions and an ideological foundation. A separate group consists of those oikonyms which, in spite of including geographical markers, are arbitrary names. The analysis also highlights the role of the naming phenomenon in the context of changes to Artsakh’s administrative-territorial structure, particularly with regard to the elimination of substratum elements and the restoration of ancient Armenian toponyms. In the concluding part of the study, the naming traditions of neighboring regions — Russian, Persian, and Turkish — are compared in a general overview; common toponymic patterns are identified, as well as the specific historical, social, and cultural conditions that shape the process of naming. This study confirms that the toponymic system of Artsakh is an integral part of the Armenian toponymic system, and its naming processes reflect not only the region’s historical and linguistic characteristics but also its cultural and political distinctiveness.</jats:p>