also: めいごう
noun
Buddha's name; name of a Buddha
Only with reading みょうごう
Buddhist term, especially referring to the name of a Buddha or bodhisattva used in prayer or invocation, such as 南無阿弥陀仏.
念仏を唱えるときは、阿弥陀仏の名号を称えます。
When chanting the nembutsu, one recites the name of Amida Buddha.
noun
Only with reading めいごう
Rare, literary word for fame or renown, read as めいごう. Not used in everyday conversation.
彼の名号は国中に知れ渡った。
His fame spread throughout the country.
From 名 (name) + 号 (title/name). The Buddhist sense is a specialized use referring to the sacred name of a Buddha. The reading みょうごう is the go-on reading, common in Buddhist terminology.