first name

noun

: the name that stands first in one's full name

Synonyms of first name

• Christian name
• given name
• nickname
• prename

Examples of first name in a Sentence

Children at the school call their teachers by their first names.

the parents still haven't picked a first name for the baby

Recent Examples on the Web

The jury foreman, who provided only his first name, Matthew, said jurors tried to keep their emotions and personal experiences out of deliberations. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026

References to the man’s life and work whiz by — illustrator Quentin Blake, a longtime collaborator, mentioned by first name only; ex-wife Patricia Neal, the Oscar-winning actress, alluded to passingly. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026

His parents, asylum-seekers from Colombia who asked to be identified only by their first names for fear of retaliation, said their son’s physical and emotional health deteriorated at Dilley. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026

This story has been corrected to spell Sassou N'Guesso's first name as Denis, not Dennis. —ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for first name

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