Names
/neɪmz/noun
Words by which a person, animal, or thing is designated.
Did you know?In ancient cultures, names were thought to embody the essence of a person, and knowing someone's true name gave one power over them—a concept seen in many magical traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁nómn̥
“to name or to call, signifying invocation and recognition.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄνομα (ónoma)
“a designation or reputation; the very essence of identity.”
Latin
Latin
nomen
“name or title, often used in legal and formal contexts.”
Old French
Old French
name
“a term for a person or thing; growing from the Latin influence.”
Middle English
Middle English
name
“the word by which a person or thing is known, inheriting the weight of identity.”
Modern English
English
names
“the plural form of name, encompassing multiple identities or titles.”
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