name

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

Synonyms of name

• label
• call
• title
• nickname
• term
• dub
• nominate
• designate
• style

Examples of name in a Sentence

“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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Assistant coach Kim Weiss, who broke barriers this season, is expected to be named head coach of the Las Vegas expansion franchise in the PWHL. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 June 2026

In honor of its namesake, a Great Pyrenees named Mojo, the kitchen also serves patties, chicken and fried eggs for doggy diners. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026

For others —Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, Turkey’s Kenan Yildiz, Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande, Ecuador’s Kendry Paez, Argentina’s Nico Paz and the Brazilian duo of Endrick and Rayan, to name just eight — this tournament is an opportunity to announce themselves to the world. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 11 June 2026

The decision to deny Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a Somali official named Africa’s best male referee in 2025, entry into the US was a shock to the world soccer community that is used to mostly seamless travel for the World Cup. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing name

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

Rhymes for name

• aim
• blame
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• fame
• flame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame

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