h₁nómn̥-
“to name, to call by name”name (v.)
PIE root meaning to name or call by name. Source of Latin nōmen, English "name," and Greek ónoma.
Discussion
*h₁nómn̥- is the Proto-Indo-European root for "name," one of the most securely reconstructed PIE words due to its remarkably consistent reflexes across all major branches.
Latin nōmen ("name") gives English "noun," "nominal," "nomenclature," "nominate," and "denominate." Greek ónoma (dialectal ónyma) yields "synonym," "anonymous," "onomatopoeia," and "onomastics." Sanskrit nāman- continues the root faithfully. In Germanic, Grimm's Law shifts *n to n (unchanged) but the vowel develops regularly into Old English nama, giving Modern English "name" and German Name.
Old Irish ainm, Old Church Slavonic imę, Armenian anun, and Tocharian B ñem all reflect the same root, making it one of the strongest pieces of evidence for PIE as a historical language.
The root is a neuter n-stem noun (*h₁nómn̥, genitive *h₁n̥méns), showing a characteristic ablaut pattern. The initial laryngeal *h₁ is lost in most branches but may explain certain vowel qualities. The act of naming held deep significance in PIE culture, as names were believed to capture essence—a concept preserved in many descendant traditions.
Notes
Denominative from *h₃nómn̥ (name). Source of Latin "nōmināre".