are named after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are named after" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is given a name in honor of a person, place, or thing. Example: "The new species of butterfly are named after the famous naturalist who discovered them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

NOT many countries are named after commodities.

The Economist

Paris streets are named after famous directors.

The New York Times - Arts

The side streets are named after trees.

The New York Times

Others are named after places.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stadiums are named after corporations.

The New York Times - Arts

(Yes, they are named after who you think they are named after).

The New York Times

(Craters on Mercury are named after artists, musicians and writers).

The New York Times - Science

They are named after Paeon, physician to the Greek gods.

Independent

Other kinds of generation stations are named after people, however.

The New York Times

The girls' cabins are named after flowers (Iris, Honeysuckle).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The OSU Buckeyes are named after what?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are named after", ensure the connection between the name and the person, place, or thing is clear to the reader. For example, instead of just stating "The park is named after a person", specify "The park is named after Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross".

Common error

Avoid assuming the reason why something "are named after" something else is self-evident. Always provide context to prevent confusion. For instance, don't just say "The theorem are named after Euclid" without indicating that Euclid was a mathematician who formulated it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are named after" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject receives the action of being named. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to specify the origin or inspiration behind a name, whether it's a place, person, or concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

24%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are named after" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate that something has been given a name in honor or recognition of a particular person, place, or thing. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news articles and academic papers to general discussions. The most common usage is in the News & Media. When using "are named after", it's important to ensure clarity and provide sufficient context so the reason behind the naming is apparent to the reader. While alternatives like "are called after" or "take their name from" exist, "are named after" remains a straightforward and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are designated in honor of

Formal phrasing emphasizing respect and tribute.

are titled after

Focuses on the naming or titling aspect.

are called after

More informal and conversational.

take their name from

Emphasizes the origin of the name.

derive their names from

Highlights the etymological root.

are styled after

Similar to titling but not that formal and used more for items.

are christened after

Imparts more of a formal and symbolic connotation.

bear the name of

Simple phrasing which can be very formal depending on the context.

are a tribute to

Used when you want to highlight it is a form of honor.

pay homage to

Highlighting the fact of honor.

FAQs

How to use "are named after" in a sentence?

Use "are named after" to indicate that something has been given a name in honor of someone or something. For example: "The streets "are named after" famous writers."

What can I say instead of "are named after"?

You can use alternatives like "are called after", "are designated in honor of", or "take their name from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is named after" instead of "are named after"?

Yes, "is named after" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "are named after" is used for plural subjects. For example: "The ship is named after the queen", "The ships "are named after" constellations".

What is the difference between "are named after" and "are inspired by"?

"Are named after" means the name directly references someone or something, while "are inspired by" indicates that someone or something served as a creative influence. For example, a street "are named after" a general, but a painting "is inspired by" a landscape.