What Does Namesake Mean? | The Word Counter

Kevin
December 16, 2022
Common Questions

Today, we will learn all about the word namesake. Today’s article will teach you what the word namesake means and how to use it.

Then, it will provide example sentences that contain the word namesake, explain where the word namesake comes from, and provide translations and synonyms of the word namesake. Would you ever name a child your namesake?

What Does Namesake Mean?

According to Dictionary, the definition of namesake is a person who is named after another person or a person who has the same name as someone else. The pronunciation of namesake is neɪmseɪk.

Commonly, fathers will name sons after themselves. Often, this can go on for generations! Therefore, each son would be the namesake of their father. Usually, the sons will have name suffixes like Junior, Senior, the Third, and so on.

For example, if your father is named John and you are also named John, you would be John Junior. If you then name your son John, your son would be John the Third. Each John in your family would be the namesake of the older family members names John.

How Can We Use Namesake in a Sentence?

Below, you will find several example sentences containing the word namesake (ˈneɪmˌseɪk). Remember that the word namesake can either refer to a person who was specifically named after another thing, or it can refer to a person who happens to have the same name as another person.

See if you can determine which of these sentences use which definition of namesake!

Example #1

The mother, who was obsessed with celebrities, wanted to name her daughter after a famous namesake and settled on the first name Madonna and the middle name Cher. Every one of her friends and family members despised the name and called the girl Maddie.

Question: In the above sentence, does the word namesake refer to someone who was named after someone else or someone who happens to have the same name as another person?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word namesake means someone who was named after another person.

Example #2

The two elementary schoolers had the same name and decided that that meant they had to be best friends. Thankfully, they got along swimmingly!

Question: In the above sentence, does the word namesake refer to someone who was named after someone else or someone who happens to have the same name as another person?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word namesake means someone who happens to have the same name as another person.

Example #3

While she loved being the namesake of her grandmother, she hated her own name, Agnes. She did not like it when people tried to nickname her Aggie but loved the connection she felt to her grandmother.

Question: In the above sentence, does the word namesake refer to someone who was named after someone else or someone who happens to have the same name as another person?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word namesake means someone who was named after another person.

Example #4

The man wanted to name his son his own namesake, but he and his wife were surprised at the birth when their child turned out to be a girl! Instead of naming his son Samuel after himself, he decided to name his daughter Samantha.

Question: In the above sentence, does the word namesake refer to someone who was named after someone else or someone who happens to have the same name as another person?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word namesake means someone who was named after another person.

Example #5

The small business got sued for using the larger company’s namesake to sell their products, but the small company assured everyone that it was an honest mistake and a coincidence.

Question: In the above sentence, does the word namesake refer to someone who was named after someone else or someone who happens to have the same name as another person?

Answer: In the above sentence, the word namesake means something that happens to have the same name as something else.

What Is the Etymology of Namesake?

The word namesake (ˈneɪmseɪk) entered the English language in the 17th century from a shortening of the term “for the name’s sake.”

What Are Translations of Namesake?

Nice Translator provides several word lists you can use to learn how to say words in different languages other than American English and British English language. Below, study these translations of namesake!

What Are Synonyms of Namesake?

If you want to use another word for namesake, you can reference this list of synonyms of namesake from Power Thesaurus.

after
agnomen
alias
appellation
cognomen
compellation
denomination
designation
epithet
eponym
eponymous
handle
homonym
homonymous
label
moniker
name
nomen
patronymic
proper name
sign
style
surname
tag
title

Conclusion

The word namesake (nām sāk) is a noun that either means a person who was named after someone else or a person or thing that happens to have the same name as something or someone else.

Sources:

116 Words and Phrases for Namesake | Power Thesaurus

Namesake Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

Namesake | Nice Translator

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

Recent Posts

Amen Meaning

Amen Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Gentrification Meaning

Gentrification Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Blasphemy Meaning

Blasphemy Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

AOC Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It