I have named him/he who shall not be named?

I have named him/he who shall not be named. Which of these is correct? I think it should be "him" because "him" is a direct object in this context. In this context, "him/he who shall not be named" is not a proper noun.


I this case, I believe "He Who Shall Not Be Named" is a set phrase, functioning a bit like proper name in this context. So you won't change that first word of it. Just like you won't change "I have named He-Man" to "I have named Him-Man" - the "He" is part of the object.


It needs to be I have named him who shall not be named. Him is the direct object of the verb in the main clause. The relative clause starting with who identifies the him but does not influence its (object) case.

Here is similar construction:

She made him who he is today. **

Note: You can use he in the main clause if he is the complement rather than the object of the verb:

It was he who told me.

Admittedly, this is formal English and I suspect most people (in the UK at least) would say:

It was him who told me.


**Edited: See the comment from and to Edwin Ashworth below.