Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

onomastics

Noun

/ˌɒn.əˈmæs.tɪks/

Definition

The study of the origin, history, and use of proper names.

Examples

The field of onomastics provides insights into cultural and historical trends through the analysis of naming conventions.
Onomastics can reveal much about the geography and demographics of a region.
Her interest in onomastics led her to study the origins of her family’s surname.

Meaning

Onomastics deals with the analysis of names, including personal names, place names, and other proper nouns. It explores how names are created, their significance, and their evolution over time.