metronymic

[ mee-truh-nim-ik, me- ]

adjective

1. derived from the name of a mother or other female ancestor.

noun

1. a metronymic name.

metronymic

/ ˌmɛtrəˈnɪmɪk /

adjective

1. (of a name) derived from the name of its bearer's mother or another female ancestor

noun

1. a metronymic name

Word History and Origins

Origin of metronymic¹

First recorded in 1865–70, metronymic is from the Greek word mētrōnymikós “named after one's mother”

Word History and Origins

Origin of metronymic¹

C19: from Greek mētronumikos, from mētēr mother + onoma name

Example Sentences

Descent henceforth was reckoned in the paternal line, and society had become patronymic instead of metronymic.

From Project Gutenberg

Metronymic, met-ro-nim′ik, adj. derived from the name of one's mother, or other female ancestor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• last name