name

1 of 3

noun

ˈnām 

1

a

: a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing

The boy's name is Brad.

b

: a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity

2

: a descriptive often disparaging epithet

called him names

3

a

: reputation

gave the town a bad name

b

: an illustrious record : fame

made a name for himself in golf

c

: a person or thing with a reputation

one of the most detested names in history

4

: family, clan

was a disgrace to his name

5

: appearance as opposed to reality

a friend in name only

6

: one referred to by a name

praise his holy name

name

2 of 3

verb

named; naming

transitive verb

1

: to give a name to : call

2

a

: to mention or identify by name

refused to name a suspect

b

: to accuse by name

3

: to nominate for office : appoint

4

: to decide on : choose

name the day of the wedding

5

: to mention explicitly : specify

unwilling to name a price

namer noun

name

3 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or bearing a name

name tags

2

: appearing in the name of a literary or theatrical production

3

a

: having an established reputation

b

: featuring celebrities

Phrases

in the name of

1

: by authority of

open in the name of the law

2

: for the reason of : using the excuse of

called for reforms in the name of progress

Synonyms

Noun

• appellation
• appellative
• cognomen
• compellation
• denomination
• denotation
• designation
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• nomenclature
• title

Verb

• baptize
• call
• christen
• clepe [archaic]
• denominate
• designate
• dub
• entitle
• label
• nominate
• style
• term
• title

Adjective

• esteemed
• estimable
• prestigious
• recognized
• reputable
• reputed
• respectable
• respected

Examples of name in a Sentence

Noun

Please write your name on this line.

State your name and occupation.

I refused to give them my name.

Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens.

She registered at the hotel under a false name.

My full name is Susan Elaine Smith.

We had to memorize the names of all the countries in Africa.

“What's your dog's name?” “His name is Sandy.”

This is his song “Loving You” from the album of the same name.

The ship's name was “Titanic.”

Verb

“What are you going to name your new dog?” “I think I'll name him Sandy.”

The aptly named HMS “Victorious” helped the British Royal Navy win an important victory.

A man named James Smith is on the phone.

We named our daughter “Mary” in honor of her grandmother.

Can you name the person who attacked you?

All of the authors named above were influenced by his work.

She was named to replace him as the company's vice president.

Adjective

the university's physics department boasts a number of name physicists

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The project would be an English-language adaptation of the story, which was loosely based on a magna with the same name. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

But the set’s new deluxe edition adds a new third stretch with 13 new cuts, taking the total from 22 to 35, including new collabs from recognizable names like Bryson Tiller, Lil Wayne and (again) Davido. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2024

In the 1970s, Laura was the 20th most popular name. —Laura Trujillo, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024

Yet Bongbong’s desire to rehabilitate the Marcos name has resulted in other shifts. —Charlie Campbell, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

The beloved romantic comedy is being developed as a Broadway musical by director Jon M. Chu, who helmed the 2018 film of the same name. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024

Only three were allowed to register ahead of a deadline last month — Edmundo González, a former diplomat with minimal name recognition; Manuel Rosales, the 71-year-old governor of the state of Zulia; and Enrique Márquez, a former electoral official. —Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024

The public was able to vote on the five names on a special webpage for the kids, which drew a total of 3,300 votes. —The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024

Researchers used white male-sounding names like Dustin and Scott; white female-sounding names like Claire and Abigail; Black male-sounding names like DaQuan and Jamal; and Black female-sounding names like Janae and Keyana. —Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

Verb

On a seemingly ordinary day, a frumpy middle-aged woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning) walks into the bar. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024

The play is about a 20-something woman named Jordan (Naomi Lorrain), the only Black employee at a creative studio, whose office life is upended when her boss hires another Jordan (Toby Onwumere), who’s also Black, to be the company’s director of culture. —Juan A. Ramírez, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024

But that’s not the only instance of art imitating Kahn’s life: one of his two children is also named Ben. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024

In 1965, the diagonal street was named North Halyard Street, after fair housing advocates Ardie and Wilbur Halyard. —Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024

Although it’s not signed, this segment of the Crook Trail is also named Forest Road 9243P. —Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

Smale Riverfront Park named best riverwalk in America by USA TODAY, beats out San Antonio. —Kelsey Conway, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024

After more than a month of negotiations, Haiti’s new governance structure has finally been established and members of a new presidential council have been named, though some observers are concerned that the seeds of the next crisis may be taking root. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

The Mint was just named one of 24 recipients for a grant this year from the Bank of America Art Conservation Project. —Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024

Adjective

As interesting as the pro-name change argument may be, Zaslav may ultimately decide it’s not worth the investment in time and resources to make what is at the core a cosmetic change. —Vulture, 23 June 2022

Although pancake mix and syrup are not sold out in most stores, most popular or name brand items are harder to come by. —Dallas News, 26 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English nama; akin to Old High German namo name, Latin nomen, Greek onoma, onyma

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing name

• a name to conjure with
• answer to a name
• assumed name
• bad name
• baptismal name
• bear someone's name
• big name
• brand name
• by the name of
• Christian name
• clear one's name
• clear someone's name
• code name
• dead name
• domain name
• drag someone's name through the mud
• family name
• first name
• give/lend one's name to
• given name
• good name
• household name
• in all/everything but name
• in God's name
• in heaven's name
• in name
• in name only
• in someone's/something's name
• in the name of
• know (someone) by name
• last name
• lend one's name
• maiden name
• make a name for (oneself)
• make one's name
• married name
• middle name
• name brand
• name-calling
• name check
• name day
• name-dropping
• name names
• name of the game
• name one's price
• name tag
• no-name
• on a first-name basis
• on first-name terms
• pen name
• pet name
• place-name
• put a name to (someone or something)
• put someone's name down
• rejoice in the name/title of
• someone's name is mud
• stage name
• take/get one's name from
• the name of the game
• the name stuck
• to one's name
• trade name
• trivial name
• under someone's/something's name
• under the name (of) (someone/something)
• user name
• what's-her-name
• what's-his-name
• with someone's name on it
• you name it

Kids Definition

name

1 of 3 noun

ˈnām 

1

: a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known

2

: a descriptive often insulting word or phrase

called him names

3

: reputation sense 2

made a name for herself

4

: appearance as opposed to fact

a friend in name only

name

2 of 3 verb

named; naming

1

: to give a name to : call

2

a

: to mention or identify by name

b

: to accuse by name

name the culprit

3

: to nominate for office : appoint

named the diplomat Secretary of State

4

: to decide upon : choose

name the date for a wedding

5

: to mention specifically

name a price

namer noun

name

3 of 3 adjective

1

: bearing a name

name tag

2

: having an established reputation

name performers

name brands