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What is 征 here please? I guess it is either 征求 or 征集。Would either fit the bill? Maybe 征名 is a word？ I think it is really '征集名字‘。
The background is, 兰州的‘读者文摘’ had to change the name of their magazine, because the American '读者文摘‘ had already registered that name.
编辑部马上行动，在杂志上刊登了征名启事。征名启事刊出后，读者的来信如雪片般飞来。
The Editorial Department took swift action, they published an announcement in the magazine, calling for/soliciting (new) names for their publication.
Any chance 征 could be 征询 的‘征’？？
Your guess is right. It means 征求 or 征集。In English, it means "Call for", and here it is "call for names". The dictionary definitions are close.
For 征询, 征询 = 征求、询问. However, it is usually used to ask for opinions. The word 征 in 征询 is indeed the same though.
征集 is the correct meaning. Usually it's used in an ad to solicit suggestions and votes from the audience/readership/viewership to choose a name for something. Put "征名" into baidu image search for many examples.
My wife's first name, so I think I need to say something.
Originally, Zheng means (1) "go on a journey" (foot + distant place). Later, which also naturally relates to kind of "military service".
I GUESS, the nature of this kind of forced "service" later make Zheng extend its meaning to a noun (2) tax;
Later as noun and verb frequently were used interchangeably, Zheng became a verb for taxing/collecting-tax, so Zheng has a third meaning (3) Collect/go-to-collect;
Then ZhengXun most probably appeared later, the word Zheng here is only related to an action of "go". You see it is still somehow related to the original meaning, however, its original meaning is weaker and weaker.
PS: Most of the Chinese characters lost their original meanings. Some however still keep them (Zheng is one of these). Still some may have multiple meanings from the very beginning.
Mostly, people don't care the original meaning, but for me, they are still helpful, especially, when you use it as your name.
