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

Madonna and Rod Stewart are just two of the big names to check in here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Mourinho of course referred to big names such as a Vinicius Jr currently locked in a renewal drama, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Over the years, she’s starred opposite several other big names, including Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson. — Audrey Schmidt, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

But there are sure to be contenders that will view him as a solid upgrade or depth piece, and if the big names like Tarik Skubal get moved with days or hours to spare, the Giants figure to have a little more juice to squeeze. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 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