Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - antonomasia

 noun  Etymology: Latin, use of an epithet for a proper name, from Greek, from antonomazein to call by a new name, from anti- + onomazein to name, from onoma name — more at name  Date: circa 1550 the use of a proper name to designate a member of a class (as a Solomon for a wise ruler); also the use of an epithet or title in place of a proper name (as the Bard for Shakespeare) ANTONY  biographical name see Anthony IV