Monogramme

Monogramme is a term used for a monogram, a motif formed by combining two or more initials into a single symbol. The word derives from the Greek monos "one" and gramma "letter" and entered English through French as monogram or monogramme. Monograms are used to identify a person, family, organization, or brand and can be purely decorative or functional.

Historically, monograms appeared on seals and coins, marking ownership and authenticity. European nobility used them on personal items such as silver, jewelry, and textiles; over time, monogramming became a common feature in domestic goods, including linens, napkins, and handkerchiefs, especially in the 18th–19th centuries, and style persisted into modern consumer culture.

Design: Monograms can be two-letter or three-letter configurations, with the arrangement varying by tradition. In many Western forms, a three-letter monogram places the surname initial in the center and often makes it larger; two-letter monograms interlock the initials. Styles range from simple ligatures to ornate interlacing, enclosed in shapes such as circles or shields.

Applications: today monograms appear on personal items (towels, bags, jewelry), household silver and china, wedding invitations, fashion branding, and logos. In digital media, monogram logos are used for identity, avatars, and branding.

See also monogram in typography.