big name

noun

: a performer or personage of top rank in popular recognition

a big name in the business world

big-name

ˈbig-ˌnām 

adjective

Examples of big name in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And then came this summer, with the big names not just confined to one or two clubs. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Most of the awards presented this weekend are for behind-the-scenes crew, but big names may also have big moments, especially in the guest acting categories. — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Bartiromo reportedly hired Freedman, the same attorney who represented big names in media like Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Don Lemon, to represent her. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026

Some celebs chose superstars to help watch over their children growing up, and those kids have since gone on to become big names as well. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for big name

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe