Here's a breakdown:
* Proto-Indo-European (PIE): The earliest known ancestor is "h₁nómn̥" meaning "to know, to name." This suggests that names were originally linked to the act of knowing or recognizing someone.
* Proto-Germanic: The word evolved into "namō" with the same meaning.
* Old English: This became "nama", which is the direct ancestor of our modern "name."
Interesting Side Note: The word "nominate" derives from the same PIE root, highlighting the connection between naming and recognizing someone for a particular purpose.
The etymology of "name" reveals the deep connection between language, identity, and recognition that has existed throughout history.