patronymic Definition
a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor, typically by the addition of a prefix or suffix, such as Johnson, O'Brien, Ivanovich.
Using patronymic: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "patronymic" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In Russia, a person's patronymic is used in formal situations.
Example
The surname 'Johnson' is a patronymic name derived from 'John'.
Example
In Iceland, people use patronymics instead of surnames.
patronymic Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for patronymic
- surname
- family name
- last name
- father's name
Phrases with patronymic
a name derived from the name of a mother or female ancestor
Example
In some cultures, children are given matronymic names instead of patronymic names.
double-barrelled surname
a surname consisting of two hyphenated names, typically the combination of the surnames of both parents
Example
After they got married, they decided to give their child a double-barrelled surname.
Example
She decided to keep her maiden name after getting married.
Origins of patronymic
from Late Latin 'patronymicum', from Greek 'patrōnumikon', from 'patēr' meaning 'father'
Summary: patronymic in Brief
The term 'patronymic' [ˌpætrəˈnɪmɪk] refers to a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor, typically by the addition of a prefix or suffix. It is used in formal situations, especially in cultures where it is customary to use patronymic names instead of surnames, such as in Russia and Iceland.
