Compound names are formed by combining two or more words to create a new term with a specific meaning. These names can describe objects, people, or concepts, and they often reflect the characteristics or functions of the combined elements. For example, the compound name toothbrush combines tooth and brush, indicating a tool used for cleaning teeth. In English, compound names can be written in different ways: as one word (closed), with a hyphen (hyphenated), or as separate words (open). Examples include mother-in-law (hyphenated) and ice cream (open). Understanding compound names helps in grasping the meanings of complex terms in everyday language.