eponym

/ˌɛpəˈnɪm/

Other forms: eponyms

An eponym is either a person for whom something is named, or a thing named for a person. Jules Leotard, a trapeze artist, inspired the creation of the eponym "leotard." Thanks, Jules.

Words are formed in many ways: often, they are named after people. For example, the boycott was named after Charles C. Boycott. That makes Boycott an eponym, and boycott is also an eponym. Eponyms are the people who provide the names and the words that are formed from the names. St. Audrey is another eponym, because her name inspired the word tawdry.

Definitions of eponym

1. noun

   the person for whom something is named
   “Constantine I is the eponym for Constantinople”

   type of:

   name

   a language unit by which a person or thing is known
2. noun

   the name derived from a person (real or imaginary)
   “Down's syndrome is an eponym for the English physician John Down”

   type of:

   name

   a language unit by which a person or thing is known