# Theonym

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{{short description|Proper name of a deity}}{{More citations needed|date=July 2024}}{{God}}
A '''theonym''' (from [Greek](/source/Greek_language) {{Lang|grc-latn|theos}} ({{Lang|grc|Θεός}}), '[god](/source/god)', attached to {{Lang|grc-latn|onoma}} ({{Lang|grc|ὄνομα}}), {{Gloss|name}}) is a proper name of a [deity](/source/deity)<!-- Different article than God, so keep both wikilinks. -->.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Matthew |first=P. H. |title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics |date=2014 |publisher=[Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press) |isbn=9780191753060 |edition=3rd |chapter=theonym}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature |date=2010 |publisher=[Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press) |isbn=9780199754670 |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=Bron |chapter=Proto-Indo-Europeans |doi=10.1093/acref/9780199754670.001.0001}}</ref>  

'''Theonymy''', the study of divine proper names, is a branch of [onomastics](/source/onomastics), the study of the etymology, history, and use of proper names. Theonymy helps develop an understanding of the function and societal views of particular gods and may help understand the origins of a society's language.{{cn|date=July 2024}} 

Analysis of theonyms has been useful in understanding the connections of [Indo-European languages](/source/Indo-European_languages) and possibly [their religion](/source/Indo-European_religion).<ref name=":0" /> In all languages, the analysis of the possible etymological origin of a theonym can serve as basis for theories of its historical origin. Metaphysical and mystical meanings are also discerned in theonyms, as in [Kabbalah](/source/Kabbalah). Theonyms can also appear as all or part of a name for a human, animal, plant, thing or place.{{Cn|date=October 2020}}

==See also==
* [-onym](/source/-onym)
* [Theo](/source/Theo)
* [Theology](/source/Theology)
* [Thealogy](/source/Thealogy), similar origin as above, but female instead 
* [God (word)](/source/God_(word))
* [Names of God](/source/Names_of_God)
* [Nomenclature](/source/Nomenclature)
* [Onomastics](/source/Onomastics)
* [Theophoric name](/source/Theophoric_name)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Deities
Category:Names
Category:Onomastics
Category:Language and mysticism

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