nominee

Where does the word "nominee" come from? It comes from Latin nomen, passing through English before entering English (1600s).

Nominee’s story begins in Latin: nomen meant “name.” Name, giving rise to nominare (to name, to appoint). By 1400s, the word had taken hold in English as nominate. The root of 'noun', 'name' and 'nominal'. It reached English by 1600s as nominee. Formed from nominate with the English suffix -ee, for a person who is nominated. Today, nominee means a person who is formally proposed as a candidate for a position, award, or honor.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient nomen "name", name, giving rise to nominare (to name, to appoint).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s nominate "to formally propose someone for a position", the root of 'noun', 'name' and 'nominal'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s nominee "a person who is nominated", formed from nominate with the English suffix -ee, for a person who is nominated.