well-known; renowned; name recognition
A Sino-Japanese noun or na-adjective meaning that a person, organization, work, etc. is known by name. It is more written or formal than everyday 有名, and the noun use often appears in phrases such as 知名を得る.
He gained sudden recognition through that novel.
She is an internationally well-known designer.
He gained name recognition through that invention.
著名 describes someone or something distinguished and widely recognized, often with more prestige than the more neutral 知名.
無名 means 'unknown' or 'nameless', the direct opposite of 知名's sense of having name recognition.
name recognition; degree of familiarity; popularity
Sino-Japanese compound written with 知 'know' and 名 'name'; the spelling transparently conveys the idea of a name being known. This is a component explanation, not a detailed historical derivation.