A theonym (from Greek theos (Θεός), 'god', attached to onoma (ὄνομα), 'name') is a proper name of a deity.
Theonymy helps develop an understanding of the function and societal views of particular gods and may help understand the origins of a society's language.
[citation needed] Analysis of theonyms has been useful in understanding the connections of Indo-European languages and possibly their religion.
Metaphysical and mystical meanings are also discerned in theonyms, as in Kabbalah.
Theonyms can also appear as all or part of a name for a human, animal, plant, thing or place.