as in Christian name
a name that is placed before one's family name
the parents still haven't picked a first name for the baby
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Recent Examples of first name
His first name comes from his Japanese roots.
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
According to my birth certificate, her first name was Phyllis.
—Alec Wilkinson, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
Though he had been given the surnames of both his parents—Ramírez and Sánchez—as was customary in Venezuela, his first name had been chosen by his father, a successful lawyer with strong left-wing views for whom Lenin was a hero.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office did not identify either victim’s first name, age or gender.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first name
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
According to my birth certificate, her first name was Phyllis.
—Alec Wilkinson, New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2026
Though he had been given the surnames of both his parents—Ramírez and Sánchez—as was customary in Venezuela, his first name had been chosen by his father, a successful lawyer with strong left-wing views for whom Lenin was a hero.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office did not identify either victim’s first name, age or gender.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first name
Noun
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Why add a surname or include a father’s fathers’ given names given to me at birth to identify me?—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Woodward Center named the mama dog Noel, and her puppies were given names based on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Drummer, Piper, Lord, Lady, Maid, Swan, Goose, Ring, Calling Bird, French Hen, Turtle Dove and Partridge.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Too often, that nickname signifies a resistance to necessary change.—
Lou Rinaldi,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
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Jon Gallagher doesn’t have a nickname.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20name. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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