Etymology. The word homonym comes from the Greek ὁμώνυμος (homonymos), meaning “having the same name”, which is the conjunction of ὁμός (homos), “common, same, similar “and ὄνομα (onoma) meaning “name”. Thus, it refers to two or more distinct concepts sharing the “same name” or signifier. Note: for the h sound, see rough breathing and smooth breathing.