date name phrase DNP 1) the designation assigned to a conventional date (day) for identification purposes; 2) a set of one or more name pieces as defined in PS-RULE DP1; a d.n.p. may have one or more of the following: a) sometimes an era name, an approximative, and a day of year designation, all followed by a year name phrase, or else it has b) the elements to represent a date on the French Republican calendar