as in Christian names
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 names
Official statistics are hard to come by, but town residents — several of whom asked to be identified by only first names to protect their safety — estimated around 80 cars were set aflame in a municipality of just 20,000 people.
—
Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
On the first go-around, both the district and circuit courts sided with the school, finding that Kluge's refusal to honor the policy and use students' first names caused harm.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 3 Mar. 2026
The reason stores use first names — or first names and last initials — on name tags is to balance two reasonable, but competing, requirements.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Little Chet Wiley joins his two big brothers, who also have cute one-syllable first names, Tex Lawrence, age 3, and Beau Lee, age 2.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 23 Feb. 2026
The family asked to be identified only by their first names out of concern for their safety.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Levy took out a laptop and began shouting first names.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Sure, a few characters have the same first names, but keeping track of the various Earnshaws and Lintons is a walk in the park compared to the Russian canon.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
Ken and Lisa, who also wanted to be identified only by their first names, were hoping to buy their dream home in a low-fire-risk area but couldn't get insurance.
—Julie Watts, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
On the first go-around, both the district and circuit courts sided with the school, finding that Kluge's refusal to honor the policy and use students' first names caused harm.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 3 Mar. 2026
The reason stores use first names — or first names and last initials — on name tags is to balance two reasonable, but competing, requirements.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Little Chet Wiley joins his two big brothers, who also have cute one-syllable first names, Tex Lawrence, age 3, and Beau Lee, age 2.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 23 Feb. 2026
The family asked to be identified only by their first names out of concern for their safety.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Levy took out a laptop and began shouting first names.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Sure, a few characters have the same first names, but keeping track of the various Earnshaws and Lintons is a walk in the park compared to the Russian canon.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
Ken and Lisa, who also wanted to be identified only by their first names, were hoping to buy their dream home in a low-fire-risk area but couldn't get insurance.
—Julie Watts, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first names
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
-
There’s a particular collection that has several nicknames, like the winter hexagon, winter circle, winter oval and more.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
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For those who do not recognize their names, maybe their nicknames will help.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20names. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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