The terms autonym, endonym, exonym and xenonym are formed by adding specific prefixes to the Greek root word ónoma (ὄνομα, 'name'), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃nómn̥.
The See more

By their relation to endonyms, all exonyms can be divided into three main categories:
• those derived from different roots, as in the case of … See more

In avoiding exonyms
During the late 20th century, the use of exonyms often became controversial. Groups often prefer that outsiders avoid exonyms where they have come to be used in a pejorative way. For example, Romani people often … See more

In Eurasia
Exonyms and endonyms must not be confused with the results of geographical renaming as in the case of Saint Petersburg, which became … See more

Endonyms and exonyms can be divided in three main categories:
• endonyms and exonyms of place names (toponyms),
• endonyms and exonyms of human names (anthroponyms), including names of ethnic groups (ethnonyms), localised populations ( See more

According to James Matisoff, who introduced the term autonym into linguistics: "Human nature being what it is, exonyms are liable to be pejorative rather than complimentary, especially where there is a real or fancied difference in cultural level between See more

Matisoff wrote, "A group's autonym is often egocentric, equating the name of the people with 'mankind in general,' or the name of the language with 'human speech'." See more