# eponym

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɛpənɪm/

## Definitions
1. A person who gave or supposedly gave their name to a people, place, institution, etc.
2. Something that is named after a person.
3. A name taken from a person, a namesake toponym, term, etc.
4. A name or term derived from any proper noun, inclusive of places, brands, etc.
5. Synonym of epitome, a person taken as a symbol or quintessential representative of some trait, school, etc.
6. Synonym of epithet, a distinguishing title.

## Etymology
From Latin eponymus, from Ancient Greek ἐπώνῠμος (epṓnŭmos), from ἐπί (epí, “upon, epi-”) + ὄνυμα (ónuma, “name”) + -ος (-os, suffix forming adjectives and nouns). Equivalent to epi- + -nym.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/eponym