'eponym' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'epōnymos', where 'epi-' meant 'upon' and 'onyma' meant 'name'.

'epōnymos' transformed into the Latin word 'eponymus', and eventually became the modern English word 'eponym'.

Initially, it meant 'giving one's name to something', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person after whom something is named'.