<P> Two proper names can also be used in creating a portmanteau word in reference to the partnership between people , especially in cases where both persons are well - known , or sometimes to produce epithets such as `` Billary '' ( referring to former United States president Bill Clinton and his wife , former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ) . In this example of recent American political history , the purpose for blending is not so much to combine the meanings of the source words but `` to suggest a resemblance of one named person to the other '' ; the effect is often derogatory , as linguist Benjamin Zimmer states . By contrast , the public , including the media , use portmanteaus to refer to their favorite pairings as a way to `` ... giv ( e ) people an essence of who they are within the same name . '' This is particularly seen in cases of fictional and real - life `` supercouples '' . An early known example , Bennifer , referred to film stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez . Other examples include Brangelina ( Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ) and TomKat ( Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes ) . `` Desilu Productions '' was a Los Angeles , California - based company jointly owned by couple and actors Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball . Miramax is the combination of the first names of the parents of the Weinstein brothers . On Wednesday , June 28 , 2017 , The New York Times crossword included the quip , `` How I wish Natalie Portman dated Jacques Cousteau , so I could call them ' Portmanteau ' . '' </P>
<P> Two proper names can also be used in creating a portmanteau word in reference to the partnership between people , especially in cases where both persons are well - known , or sometimes to produce epithets such as `` Billary '' ( referring to former United States president Bill Clinton and his wife , former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ) . In this example of recent American political history , the purpose for blending is not so much to combine the meanings of the source words but `` to suggest a resemblance of one named person to the other '' ; the effect is often derogatory , as linguist Benjamin Zimmer states . By contrast , the public , including the media , use portmanteaus to refer to their favorite pairings as a way to `` ... giv ( e ) people an essence of who they are within the same name . '' This is particularly seen in cases of fictional and real - life `` supercouples '' . An early known example , Bennifer , referred to film stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez . Other examples include Brangelina ( Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ) and TomKat ( Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes ) . `` Desilu Productions '' was a Los Angeles , California - based company jointly owned by couple and actors Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball . Miramax is the combination of the first names of the parents of the Weinstein brothers . On Wednesday , June 28 , 2017 , The New York Times crossword included the quip , `` How I wish Natalie Portman dated Jacques Cousteau , so I could call them ' Portmanteau ' . '' </P>
combining 2 names to make a new name
combining 2 names to make a new name
creating a portmanteau
creating a portmanteau