Eponym

Quick meaning: Eponym is a noun meaning A person who gave or supposedly gave their name to a people, place, institution, etc.

Meaning

A person who gave or supposedly gave their name to a people, place, institution, etc.

More Meanings

1. Something that is named after a person.
2. (sometimes proscribed) A name taken from a person, a namesake toponym, term, etc.
3. (loosely, sometimes proscribed) A name or term derived from any proper noun, inclusive of places, brands, etc.
4. (archaic) Synonym of epitome, a person taken as a symbol or quintessential representative of some trait, school, etc.
5. (archaic) Synonym of epithet, a distinguishing title.

Example Sentences

Rockefeller became the very eponym of wealth.

[Mesmer] lives on today as the root of the eponym mesmerize.

Alexandria is an eponym, taken from its founder Alexander the Great.

For their dubious contribution to literature, Doctor Bowdler and Henrietta were recognized with the eponym bowdlerize[.]

Word Forms

• eponyms
• eponyme

Synonyms for eponym

Depending on context, synonyms include eponymist, namesake, deonym, epitome, epithet.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include orthonym, alethonym, nickname, euonym, mononym, autonym.

Related Dictionary Tools