matronymic

Matronymic is a name derived from the name of a mother or female ancestor, used as a personal name or surname. The term contrasts with patronymic, which is derived from a father’s name. The word combines matro- from Latin mater ‘mother’ and -nymic from Greek onoma ‘name’.

In many naming systems, inherited surnames follow a fixed line and do not reflect a parent's given name, making matronymics relatively uncommon. Nevertheless, matronymic forms have appeared in various historical and cultural contexts and are still used in some communities today.

In certain cultures the mother's name can be used as the base for a matronymic, using the same suffixes or patterns that would appear in patronymics. Icelandic naming practice, for example, is primarily patronymic, but the option to form matronymics exists in theory and is used when honoring a mother or when the matrilineal line is emphasized.

Matronymics may function as a middle name or as a surname, depending on legal and customary rules. They can be chosen to preserve matrilineal heritage, or to distinguish individuals in families where the paternal line is not the sole focus of inheritance.

See also patronymic, surname, naming convention.

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