A few institutions were named by the founder in honor of a parent, child, spouse, or other close family member.
Some educational institutions carry the names of members of royalty or political leaders who were in power at the time the institutions were established or received their present names.
Some of these schools were given the names of the leaders who officially chartered them (for example, Charles University of Prague in the Czech Republic and College of William and Mary in the United States).
The following universities and colleges are named for people who are noted primarily for their contributions to religion, including theologians, saints, holy people, and founders of religious denominations.
Universities and colleges have been named for a diverse variety of historical figures, including national heroes, poets, prominent scientists, and political figures of the past.