English

Noun

autonym ‎(plural autonyms)

1. (taxonomy) An infraspecific name in which the species epithet is repeated.
2. (linguistics, anthropology) A name used by a group or category of people to refer to themselves or their language, as opposed to a name given to them by other groups.

   Deutsche is the autonym of the people known in English as Germans.

3. The true name of a person or other entity, especially an author.
4. A work published under the author's true name.^[1]
   • 1900, Mr. Barnwell, "Cataloging Roundtable", in Library Journal, page 157

     As a general principle, the heading of the main entry of the book should be in the form in which the book itself is published; that is, if it is published under an autonym let the autonym be given, if under a pseudonym, then let the pseudonym be given, and if the book be anonymous, then let the fact be stated.

Synonyms

• (taxonomy): type variety
• (linguistics, anthropogy): endonym, selfname

Antonyms

• (linguistics, anthropogy): exonym, xenonym
• (true name of a person): pseudonym, alias, pen name

Related terms

• demonym
• ethnonym
• glossonym

Translations

References

1. ↑ "Autonym", OED 2nd ed.