Definition

A person who studies the history and origin of names.

Example

The onomast is researching the etymology of family names.

Conversation

Did you know there’s a field called onomastics?

Really? What does an onomast study?

They focus on the origins and meanings of names.

That sounds fascinating! I’d love to learn more about it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Onomast is derived from the Greek word "onoma" (meaning name) and the suffix "-ist" (meaning one who practices or is concerned with). The term refers to someone who studies or specializes in names, particularly in the context of naming conventions or onomastics.

Memory Tip

Think of 'onoma' which means 'name' — an onomast is someone who is concerned with names.

Visually Confused Words