Features of the functioning of onyms in the handwriting of G.R. Derzhavin

The features of the functioning of onyms in the poetic work of G.R. Derzhavin are revealed. Based on the material of the original title of the poem “Zhizn’ na Zvanke” (later called“Evgeniyu. Zhizn’ Zvanskaya”), the expediency of the presence of the preposition NA- in the toponym Zvanka is considered and the correctness of its use is established, which is reflected in modern rules for the use of toponymic word forms. It is substantiated that the word forms of the toponym NA Zvanke, V Petropol give an idea not only of the nomination process itself, reflecting the connection of the toponym with the denotation through a motivating feature, but also about the culture of using the toponym in the context of both synchrony and diachrony. Based on the material of complex onomastic signs, consisting of an anthroponym and a common noun, the profiling of the autocrat’s attribute is established: “occupation”, “evaluative characteristic”, “degree of fame”. It has been proven that the functioning of proper names in Derzhavin’s text becomes the meaningforming center and essence of the created image (settlement), the addressing factor, implying an appeal to the addressee (Eugene), explicitly expressed in the heading complex and in the structure of the text itself, which was traditional for the genre dedications in Russian literature in the era of Derzhavin.