eponym Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the person for whom something is named
    • Constantine I is the eponym for Constantinople
  2. noun the name derived from a person (real or imaginary)
    • Down's syndrome is an eponym for the English physician John Down

WordNet

Ep"o*nym, Ep"o*nyme noun (Also<
  • Eponym
  • Eponyme
)
Etymology
Cf. F. éponyme. See Eponymous.
Definitions
  1. The hypothetical individual who is assumed as the person from whom any race, city, etc., took its name; as, Hellen is an eponym of the Hellenes.
  2. A name, as of a people, country, and the like, derived from that of an individual.

Webster 1913