name

1 of 3

noun

ˈnām 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• appellation
• appellative
• cognomen
• compellation
• denomination
• denotation
• designation
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• nomenclature
• title

Verb

• baptize
• call
• christen
• clepe [archaic]
• denominate
• designate
• dub
• entitle
• label
• nominate
• style
• term
• title

Adjective

• esteemed
• estimable
• prestigious
• recognized
• reputable
• reputed
• respectable
• respected

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

Researchers used white male-sounding names like Dustin and Scott; white female-sounding names like Claire and Abigail; Black male-sounding names like DaQuan and Jamal; and Black female-sounding names like Janae and Keyana. —Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

Might Delete Later finds a handful of songs Cole teased snippets of during his Vlogs of the same name recapping his travels as part of Drake’s Big As the What? —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

Few would have predicted that one of the biggest alt-rock breakthroughs of the last decade would be a mostly instrumental trio from Houston with a name that seems dauntingly difficult to pronounce. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

And less than three years after changing its name from Facebook to focus on virtual worlds, Meta Platforms in January revealed that AGI was also on the top of its agenda. —Matt O'Brien, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

Calloway was taken into custody after Clark brought up his name, while Clark was being investigated by police for another homicide. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024

Related article Elon Musk’s X names new head of safety, nine months after former safety leader’s exit A representative for X did not respond to a request for comment on Musk’s move to restore the blue checkmarks. —Oliver Darcy, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

The Hollywood Reporter received a copy of the letter from Joy to the Polls co-founder Sarah Sophie Flicker, who says more names are expected to be added. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024

As has been the case now, the automaker offers four Taycan wagons, each of which carry the Cross Turismo name. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024

Verb

Suarez on Friday was named MLS Player of the Month for February/March. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024

Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino named Green the Razorbacks’ starter on Tuesday. —Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024

In 2002, an orca calf who came to be named Springer was spotted alone in Puget Sound, prompting an extensive capture and relocation effort. —Sara Smart, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

Because he was not charged, The Star is not naming him. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2024

Burg said that older neighborhoods were typically named by their residents, with monikers borrowing from the area’s geographic features or institutions. —Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 6 Apr. 2024

After Republicans introduced the legislation to name the airport located outside the nation's capital after Trump, Connolly floated renaming a prison after Trump. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024

Cori, 7 Cody and Brandi celebrated the arrival of their second child together, a daughter named Cori, in 2017. —Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

The only problem is the child, a boy named Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephens), turns out to be the literal Antichrist, a.k.a. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 5 Apr. 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

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

Phrases Containing name

• a name to conjure with
• assumed name
• bear someone's name
• code name
• first name
• good name
• domain name
• in all/everything but name
• give/lend one's name to
• name of the game
• name one's price
• pen name
• name tag
• pet name
• take/get one's name from
• to one's name
• under someone's/something's name
• what's-his-name
• what's-her-name
• clear someone's name
• Christian name
• household name
• bad name
• big name
• baptismal name
• in name
• answer to a name
• family name
• in someone's/something's name
• make a name for (oneself)
• dead name
• by the name of
• know (someone) by name
• given name
• in heaven's name
• brand name
• in name only
• maiden name
• drag someone's name through the mud
• lend one's name
• make one's name
• place-name
• name brand
• on a first-name basis
• on first-name terms
• stage name
• trivial name
• the name of the game
• middle name
• married name
• in the name of
• under the name (of) (someone/something)
• the name stuck
• trade name
• name day
• last name
• no-name
• name names
• name-calling
• name-dropping
• in God's name
• put a name to (someone or something)
• with someone's name on it
• name check
• someone's name is mud
• rejoice in the name/title of
• put someone's name down
• clear one's name
• you name it
• user name

Kids Definition

name

1 of 3 noun

ˈnām 

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