1
general::
Also, only in name. Nominally, not actually. For example, He's the chief executive in name only; his vice-president makes all the decisions, or Theirs was a marriage only in name; they lived on different continents. [Late 1300s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): in name only
nominally; not actual, only by terminology. • The president is head of the country in name only. Congress makes the laws. • Mr. Smith is the boss of the Smith Company in name only. Mrs. Smith handles all the business affairs.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs