as in Christian name
a name that is placed before one's family name
the parents still haven't picked a first name for the baby
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of first name
Though he had been given the surnames of both his parents—Ramírez and Sánchez—as was customary in Venezuela, his first name had been chosen by his father, a successful lawyer with strong left-wing views for whom Lenin was a hero.
—
Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office did not identify either victim’s first name, age or gender.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Although his first name is still unknown, the insider shares that his middle name is River.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests are on many people’s minds.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first name
Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office did not identify either victim’s first name, age or gender.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Although his first name is still unknown, the insider shares that his middle name is River.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Reza, a taxi driver who also gave just his first name, said protests are on many people’s minds.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first name
Noun
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Why add a surname or include a father’s fathers’ given names given to me at birth to identify me?—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Woodward Center named the mama dog Noel, and her puppies were given names based on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Drummer, Piper, Lord, Lady, Maid, Swan, Goose, Ring, Calling Bird, French Hen, Turtle Dove and Partridge.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The Hoosier Dome opened in 1984, mall culture grew as teens and shoppers flocked to Castleton Square and plans for Circle Centre got underway, all while Indy began to outgrow its 'Naptown' nickname.—
Joe Mutascio,
IndyStar,
8 Jan. 2026
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Simpson is a member of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Santa Monica Mountains Task Force trail crew, known often by their nickname, the Trailies.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20name. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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