namesake
UK: ˈneɪmseɪk | US: ˈneɪmseɪk
n. a person or thing named after another person or thing
n. a person or thing that shares the same name as another
The word "namesake" originated in the early 17th century, combining "name" (Old English nama, from Proto-Germanic namô) and "sake" (Old English sacu, meaning "cause" or "purpose"). The term originally implied a person named for the sake of another—often to honor or commemorate them. Over time, it broadened to include any shared name, regardless of intent. The morpheme "sake" here functions as a fossilized relic, retaining its archaic sense of "purpose" rather than its modern meaning (e.g., "for your sake").
My son is the namesake of his grandfather.
The city is the namesake of a famous explorer.
She discovered her namesake in an old family diary.
The ship was the namesake of a legendary queen.
Many brands become namesakes of their founders.