Eponymous
Word of the Day
What is Eponymous?
adjective
Giving one’s name to a place, book, or other work; named after a particular person.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to honor World Book Day, reflecting on characters like Jane Eyre, Don Quixote, or Hamlet — eponymous figures whose names define their stories.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
The eponymous heroine of the novel, Jane Eyre, defies social conventions.
Sherlock Holmes is the eponymous detective in Conan Doyle’s famous stories.
They released an eponymous debut album titled with the band’s name.
Word Origins
From Greek epōnymos, from epi (“upon”) + onyma (“name”).
Originally a political title in ancient Athens for officials whose names marked the year; now common in literary and cultural usage.
First appearance in English: 17th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Adjective:
The eponymous album was a bold move for the artist.
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Noun:
“Sandwich” is an eponym named after the Earl of Sandwich.
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Noun:
Eponymy is the practice of naming something after a person.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: epónimo
- French: éponyme
- German: namensgebend
- Italian: eponimo
- Portuguese: epônimo
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Autobiographical
Describes something about oneself; eponymous refers to naming.
Self-titled
Common in music; informal version of “eponymous”.
Homonymic
Refers to names or words that sound alike; not the same as eponymous.
Titular
Sometimes used synonymously with eponymous, especially in literary discussion.
Fun Facts
- The word “eponymous” comes from a political office in ancient Athens: the eponymous archon.
- The word is often misused to refer to someone who is the inspiration for a name, rather than the namesake.
Cultural Usage
- “Don Quixote” features an eponymous protagonist whose name has become symbolic of idealistic pursuits.
- Beyoncé’s 2013 eponymous album marked a turning point in her creative control and surprise releases.
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “anonymous” due to similar structure — but “eponymous” means named, not nameless.
Micro Story
The eponymous character of Frankenstein is actually the scientist — not the monster.