renown

Where does the word "renown" come from? It comes from Latin nomen, passing through Old French and Anglo-French before entering English (1300s).

Renown’s story begins in Latin: nomen meant “name.” Name, combined with re- (again). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as renomer. To make famous again, to celebrate by name, from re- and nomer (to name, from nomen). From there it passed into Anglo-French as renoun by medieval. Fame, celebrated reputation, from renomer. It reached English by 1300s as renown. Settled as the English word for widespread fame and reputation. Today, renown means widespread fame and good reputation.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient nomen "name", name, combined with re- (again).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval renomer "to make famous, to celebrate by name", to make famous again, to celebrate by name, from re- and nomer (to name, from nomen).
3. Stage 3 · Anglo-French · medieval renoun "fame, celebrated reputation", fame, celebrated reputation, from renomer.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s renown "widespread fame and reputation", settled as the English word for widespread fame and reputation.