It is a brand name.

iguy · on Sept 6, 2020

Sure. So is Ford.

But back in 1909, it was also the name of the guy who signed the patent. Whose company name was his surname.

xxs · on Sept 6, 2020

>"where naming is more like branding"

I meant it followed the branding pattern, so it happened the brand was derived from the name.

iguy · on Sept 6, 2020

I guess there's no commerce in mathematical theorems. But the use of his name as a generic (not just for products sold by the company which bought the trademark) seems similar in that it's a community decision -- we could have all decided to say "hex wrench" instead.