This is the 13408th most frequent Russian word.
назывались
"Назывались" - "were called"
Past tense verb, used to indicate the previous name of subjects (cities).
Эти города раньше назывались иначе.
These cities were called differently before.
Reflexive verb, referring to self-naming or identification by a name.
Когда вы назывались этой группой, у вас было больше участников.
When you called yourselves that group, you had more members.
Reflexive past passive form, indicating objects (ships) receiving names.