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Anonymous

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means of unknown name

Where does the word "anonymous" come from? It comes from Greek anōnymos, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
anōnymos
Greek · ancient
"nameless"
Greek, 'an-', without, plus 'onyma', name
2
Stage 2 of 2
anonymous
English · 1600s
"nameless"
'Anonymous' as a signature dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Anonymous’s story begins in Greek: anōnymos meant “nameless.” Greek, 'an-', without, plus 'onyma', name. It reached English by 1600s as anonymous. 'Anonymous' as a signature dates from the 1600s. Today, anonymous means of unknown name.