name

1 of 3

noun

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

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 question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Two new 500e models with unconventional names were unveiled this week in connection with a climate conference in Miami, and both are focused on the Stellantis brand’s Italian sensibility. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 There are swipes at the way society’s underdogs and outcasts are treated by those who rule, how religious and cultural differences get politicized and then weaponized in the name of power and profit, and how a caste system continues to warp the humanity of all involved. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024 Following the album title reveal, fans took to X (previously known as Twitter) to share their thoughts — which ranged from excitement for the new country era to confusion over the seemingly basic name following an album title like Renaissance. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2024 Kirk Cousins, quarterback Cousins was one of the hottest names on the free agency market ahead of the upcoming season. Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 One obvious name is Madison bishop and West Allis native Donald Hying, 60, who was previously the bishop of Gary, Indiana, and an auxiliary bishop in Milwaukee under Listecki. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 Netflix and Sony’s anime specialty platform Crunchyroll will both stream the upcoming Japanese anime series Dan Da Dan, an adaptation of the manga of the same name created by Yukinobu Tatsu. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Not all transgender and nonbinary people change their names, but for those who do, legal recognition of their name and gender on official documents is an important part of transitioning. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024
Verb
Thurgood Marshall’s Path to Desegregation In 1930, a young man named Thurgood Marshall, a native son of Baltimore, could not attend the University of Maryland’s law school, located in the city and state where his parents were taxpaying citizens. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Merlin Entertainments announced in a press release on Wednesday that the actress, a 16-year-old named Felicia, would receive training at the popular tourist destination London Dungeon before making a guest appearance to delight thrill-seekers there on April 7. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 In October, the Commerce Department named sites in 32 states as eligible to apply to receive the first implementation grants of $40 million to $70 million each. Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 The 30-year-old safety, who was drafted in the third round in 2016, quickly became one of the best at his position, being voted to the Pro Bowl twice and named second-team All-Pro four times. Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Now a junior, Grimstad had a standout year, racking up the 10th-most points of all male swimmers in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. UW-Stevens Point named Grimstad Athlete of the Week again in January for the third time. USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 The family’s central figure is Lou’s dad, aptly named Lou Sr. (Ed Harris)—a stringy-haired gangster who owns Lou’s gym and a nearby gun range, and is involved in plenty of extralegal business. David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 The poet, a courtier named Yukihira, was a provincial governor who, by some accounts, was exiled to Suma Bay, a famous stretch of coastline in western Japan. Paul S. Atkins, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024 He was named a team captain and was accepted into the Masters of Viticulture and Enology program during his tenure. Noël Burgess, Forbes, 1 Mar. 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'name.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of name was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near name

Cite this Entry

“Name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/name. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

name

1 of 3 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on name

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