An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/nennen

by Friedrich Kluge

nennen, vb., ‘to name,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. nęnnen (also nęmmen); originated in namnjan by the assimilation of mn; a verbal noun from Name (OHG. namo). Comp. Goth. namnjan from namô, AS. nam an, wk. vb., equiv. to E. to name (AS. also nęmnan, equiv. to OSax. nęmnian). See Name and the remarks there on Du. noemen, ‘to name.’