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.
This observatory will be an absolute powerhouse for astronomy, and its namesake is perfectly fitting. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026 But despite its namesake, pumpkins aren’t center stage during opening weekend — watermelons are. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Quarterly results for namesake Gap and Banana Republic topped expectations. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 The Peter Marino Art Foundation occupies the former Rogers Memorial Library, a charming historic building in Southampton, New York, that its namesake has transformed into something much stranger inside. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 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

See All Rhymes for namesake

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 2 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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