Home › Words › N › namesmanshipnamesmanshipnamesmanship means the way names are assigned.EtymologyBlend of name + gamesmanship.nounThe way names are assigned.e.g.“They are thankful for a group of advertisers dedicated to conservatism, the soft sell and generic namesmanship!” — 1960, The New England Journal of Medicine - Volume 263, Part 2, page 1090:The art of naming things in order to influence the reactions of others.e.g.“The latest trick, of couse, is to exchange the "college" label for that of "university." I dare not guess what may come next in academic namesmanship.” — 1961, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Yearbook - Volume 14, page 36:The pursuit of status by having things named after oneself.The art of name-dropping or giving the names of people who are involved with a project, in order to confer status or legitimacy.Skill in knowing and pronouncing names.e.g.““Namesmanship” is vital in manners; it consists of making your own name clear to other people about you while being certain you memorize their names the first time around.” — 1952, George H. Brett, The Air Force Officer's Guide:Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).