A homophonic neonym is when a name has a contemporary origin, but sounds like an already established name.
Say a couple has a little boy who they named
MARK. A conventional etymology would be something like
MARK <
MARCUS, "adherent of
Mars" or, loosely, "war hawk." This is fair enough, lacking further information.
But suppose, in this case, the baby had a prominent birthmark that his parents found endearing and
it inspired his name. In that case, "adherent of
Mars" would not have been the etymology of his iteration of the name, rather the English word "mark" would have been (considering his parents' intentions). Casual acquaintances would probably never know the difference.
Before someone gets upset about its teasing prospects, descriptive names were quite common in earlier cultures. Biblical
ESAU springs to mind.
"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth." Ps. 127:4
JoHannah Jubilee, BenJudah Gabriel, Aaron Josiah, Jordan Uriah,
Maranatha Nissiah, (Anastasia Nike, 1992-1992), Jeshua David,
Shiloh Joshana, Elijah Daniel, Hezekiah Nathaniel, Zephaniah Joseph