Al-asmāʾ al-mufrada
Names, kunyas, or epithets known in transmitter literature to belong to only one person. Their defining feature is uniqueness of attribution, not simply unusual spelling or infrequent occurrence.
A dedicated work in this field is attributed to Abū Bakr Aḥmad ibn Hārūn al-Bardījī. Misreading a distinctive name as a familiar one can merge separate narrators and corrupt identification.
Research method:
1. Confirm the name's proper orthography and vocalization.
2. Establish the single bearer identified by the relevant biographical evidence.
3. If another bearer is alleged, compare biographies, generations, and chains rather than assuming the two are identical.