namesake

noun

name·​sake ˈnām-ˌsāk 

: one that has the same name as another

especially : one who is named after another or for whom another is named

His grandson and namesake is the spit and image of him …

—Robert Graves

Examples of namesake in a Sentence

How much did President George Bush influence his son and namesake George W. Bush?

Recent Examples on the Web

Identifying with Pope Francis Leo referred to AI in explaining the choice of his name: His namesake, Pope Leo XIII, was pope from 1878 to 1903 and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025

What has Joe told Gwynn about his Hall of Fame namesake? —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025

Commentary Texas Roadhouse opened eight company restaurants in the quarter, seven of which were under the namesake brand. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 May 2025

This pope, like his namesake more than a century ago, may be stepping into the age-old fight between capital and labor, not as a neutral party. —Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from name's sake

First Known Use

circa 1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for namesake

• overtake
• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• undertake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik

Kids Definition

namesake

noun

name·​sake ˈnām-ˌsāk 

: one that has the same name as another

especially : one named after another