Patronymic

Patronymic is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather, or an earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.

Etymology

The term patronymic is derived from the combination of two Greek words: patēr meaning "father", and onyma meaning "name".

Usage

Patronymics are used in various cultures worldwide, including in the Scandinavian, Arab, Balto-Slavic, and Celtic cultures.

In some cultures, patronymics are used as a last name. For example, in Iceland, if a man named Jón has a son named Andri, then his son’s last name will be Jónsson (son of Jón). Similarly, if Jón has a daughter named Sigríður, her last name will be Jónsdóttir (daughter of Jón).

Variations

There are variations in the use of patronymics. In some cultures, the patronymic replaces a person's family name, while in others it is used in addition to the family name. In still others, it is a formal part of a person's name, but not used in daily speech.

See also

• Family name
• Given name
• Matronymic
• Name change
• Personal name

Patronymic Resources
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