namesake

noun

name·​sake ˈnām-ˌsāk How to pronounce namesake (audio)
: one that has the same name as another
especially : one who is named after another or for whom another is named
His grandson and namesake is the spit and image of him … —Robert Graves

Examples of namesake in a Sentence

How much did President George Bush influence his son and namesake George W. Bush?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many who have come to see the plant, take a photo with her, or simply mourn the passing of the bromeliad’s namesake. — Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026 Carolina Bucci At her namesake shop on the Lungarno, fourth-generation jeweler Carolina Bucci sells necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets that feel classic yet contemporary simultaneously. — Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026 Most recently, Jackson’s namesake was appointed Burnley’s caretaker manager until the end of the 2025/26 season. — Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Poor Helen Hayes, grande dame of the stage, lived long enough to see her namesake theater meet the wrecking ball. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for namesake

Word History

Etymology

probably from name's sake

First Known Use

circa 1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of namesake was circa 1635

Rhymes for namesake

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Browse Nearby Words

namer
namesake
name tag
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Cite this Entry

“Namesake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/namesake. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

namesake

noun
name·​sake ˈnām-ˌsāk How to pronounce namesake (audio)
: one that has the same name as another
especially : one named after another
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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