Do proper names have a meaning? An approach to the unfinished debate around semantics and (diffuse) categorization of proper and common names

This paper discusses the major linguistic theories concerned with the distinction between proper and common names. At the same time, it aims to show that a border line between both categories cannot be drawn without answering the question about the capacity of proper names to express denotative meaning. There seems to be little agreement in this respect since the classical points of view linked to Mill and Jespersen, which is why linguists and philosophers still lack a common understanding on this point. In order to clarify the origin of this debate, it will be approached from different perspectives and fields of linguistics, including an analysis of Eugenio Coseriu's position revealed in a manuscript on this topic made available by the Eugenio-Coseriu-Foundation (www.coseriu.org) and which has remained unpublished until nowadays.