przeduonym

Przeduonym is a neologism used to describe a provisional or placeholder form of a name, applied in onomastics and narrative worldbuilding to refer to a person, place, or entity before a final proper name is established. The term signals a stage in naming processes rather than a public alias.

The term combines the Polish prefix przed- meaning “before” with a suffix reminiscent of -onym, as in pseudonym, to form a compound meaning “before name.” In practice, a przeduonym functions as a neutral placeholder in data records, naming proposals, or early drafts of fiction, allowing analysis or storytelling to proceed without committing to a final name. Common examples include labels such as “Unknown-1,” “Person A,” or “Subject-001” used prior to final naming decisions.

Because przeduonym is not widely used in formal literature, its definition varies and it is predominantly found in speculative discussions, language games, or worldbuilding guides. It should not be confused with a pseudonym, which is a public alias used to conceal or alter identity.

Related concepts include placeholder name and onomastics.