named after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'named after' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the origin of something, usually a person, place, or thing. For example, "The building was named after my grandmother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The family restaurant is named after her.

The New York Times - Arts

Then there were minerals named after people.

The New Yorker

A middle school is named after him.

The New York Times

Is John O'Hara's Gibbsville named after Gibbs?

The New Yorker

(Another protagonist named after his author).

The New Yorker

NOT many countries are named after commodities.

The Economist

But who was he named after?

Independent

It's named after the capital, Baku.

The New York Times

All the sisters were named after saints.

The New Yorker

It was named after St. Peter.

The New York Times

The tick was named after him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "named after", ensure the connection between the name and its origin is clear to the reader. Provide context to explain the significance of the naming.

Common error

Avoid ambiguous phrasing where it's unclear what is "named after" what. Make sure the subject clearly receives its name from the object following "after".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "named after" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the origin or inspiration of a name. It specifies that a person, place, or thing has been given a particular name in honor or recognition of someone or something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

31%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "named after" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that something receives its name from a particular person, place, or thing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample examples across various sources. It functions to attribute the origin of a name, highlighting the relationship between the name and its source. While versatile in register, it is most frequently found in news media and encyclopedia articles. Consider alternatives like "called after" or "takes its name from" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bears the name of

A more formal and emphatic way of saying something is named after something else.

called after

Uses 'called' instead of 'named', creating a slightly less formal tone.

takes its name from

Emphasizes the act of receiving a name from a source.

is a namesake of

Highlights the shared name between two entities.

originates from

Focuses on the origin or source of the subject's name.

derives its name from

Focuses on the origin and etymology of the name.

is inspired by

Suggests a creative influence rather than a direct naming convention.

is styled after

Suggests the name is related to the styling of the thing that is named.

is patterned after

Implies a design or model based on something else, but not necessarily the name.

is modeled on

Similar to 'patterned after', indicating a template or design influence.

FAQs

How do I use "named after" in a sentence?

Use "named after" to indicate that something has been given a specific name to honor or commemorate someone or something else. For example, "The park was "named after" the city's founder."

What are some alternatives to using "named after"?

Alternatives include "called after", "takes its name from", or "is a namesake of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "named by" instead of "named after"?

"Named by" indicates who did the naming, whereas ""named after"" indicates the source of the name. For example, "The award was named by the foundation" versus "The award was "named after" the benefactor".

What's the difference between "named for" and "named after"?

Both "named for" and ""named after"" are generally interchangeable, but ""named after"" more strongly implies that the name is in direct honor or imitation of something else.