I've been confused since they started using the term late in the 19th century but I suppose tear vs tear is one example. Whoever thought the term heteronym would be an accurate description ought to be shot - heterophone seems appropriate and self-explanatory.

I am a linguist and so I know hetero means same but I agree, phone, would be better. I’m wondering if there’s a different word used when teaching primary school phonics. Will have to investigate.

Apparently the word homonym is older and makes good immediate sense and then someone clever thought over tea and toast that heteronym would be a fine name for something that is not really the opposite phenomenon?

I don't think heteronyms have to be heterophones. Bear and bear, for example. Or no and no.

Damn - couldn't they have thought of a better name though?

Homographs. That makes more sense. Written the same.

Homographicalheteronyms.

Even if I’d been given the category and known what one was I still don’t think I’d have got the group!!

I was onto it but I was looking for heterophones.

🤦🏻‍♀️

Now I am worried nym has to be a noun?

The internet suggests onyma as a dialectal form of onoma "name" - I wouldn't know.