The Eponym reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Eponym

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An eponym is a person (real or fictitious) whose name has become identified with a particular object or activity.

One of the first cases was in second millennium BC, when the Assyrians named each year after a high official (limmu). Also, the eponym archon was the highest magistrate in Athens and had a yearly charge, and every year was named after the elected one (i.e.: the year 594 BC was named after Solon). In Rome, the two annual consuls could give different names to the same year.

Both in ancient Greece and independently among the Hebrews, a legendary leader of a tribe gave his name to it (as Achaeus for Achaeans, or Dorus for Dorians). The eponym gave apparent meaning to the mysterious names of tribes, and sometimes, as in the Sons of Noah provided a primitive attempt at ethnology too, in the genealogical relationships of eponymous originators.

But places and towns too could be given an etymological meaning through an important figure: Peloponnesus was said to derive its name from Pelops. In historical times, new towns have often been named and renamed for historical figures.

The use is today very frequent in science, notably in medicine and in astronomy.

It is important to stress that in correct usage the word applies to the person rather than to the object or the name itself. In the latter cases, use the adjective epynomic.

Table of contents
1 List of eponyms
2 See also
3 External link

List of eponyms

Here is a list of eponyms:

An asterisk designates people who became eponyms despite their stated wishes not to.

See also

External link