aptonym

aptonym

English

WOTD – 28 December 2015

Etymology

apt +‎ -onym, on the model of other words suffixed with -onym

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈæp.toʊ.nɪm/, /ˈæp.tə.nɪm/

Noun

Examples (aptonyms)
"Cutter & Sons, Butchers" "Dr. Childer, Pediatrician" "Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe, Attorneys at law"

aptonym (plural aptonyms)

1. A proper name that aptly describes the occupation or character of the person, especially by coincidence.
   • 1992, Frank H. Nuessel, The study of names: a guide to the principles and topics, page 42:

     The following is a selected list of aptonyms, i.e., people whose names and occupations or situation (e.g., workplace) have a close correspondence

   • 2004, Christine Scodari, Serial monogamy: soap opera, lifespan, and the gendered politics of fantasy, page 96:

     New aptonyms appeared for both Matt and Donna at this juncture — "DoorMatt" and "Donnasaur."

   • 2005, Maurice Charney, Comedy: A Geographic and Historical Guide, volume 1, page 201:

     Stocked with characters whose names are representative of their failings (aptonyms, a standard comic technique), The Stepsure Letters is not read today outside the university classroom

Synonyms

• (apt name): aptronym, attributive name, characterizing name, character-revealing name, charactonym, characternym, label name, ticket name, type name

Derived terms

• aptonymy
• aptonymous

Anagrams

• tympano, tympano-