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
Back then, the most popular male first names were James, John, Robert, Michael and William.
—
Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Viewers tend to refer to anchors like Savannah Guthrie, Robin Roberts and Gayle King by their first names and regard watching them as part of a morning ritual.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
For some families, maiden names or other significant surnames are carried on as first names.
—Lisa Milbrand, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026
His parents, asylum-seekers from Colombia who asked to be identified only by their first names for fear of retaliation, said their son’s physical and emotional health deteriorated at Dilley.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 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
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
Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Viewers tend to refer to anchors like Savannah Guthrie, Robin Roberts and Gayle King by their first names and regard watching them as part of a morning ritual.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
For some families, maiden names or other significant surnames are carried on as first names.
—Lisa Milbrand, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026
His parents, asylum-seekers from Colombia who asked to be identified only by their first names for fear of retaliation, said their son’s physical and emotional health deteriorated at Dilley.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 24 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first names
Noun
-
The seven kittens were given names meant to honor where they were born.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The French newspaper has given him various nicknames during the past four decades, tracing the arc of his public reputation.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
One of them, named James Rogers, used the same phrases and nicknames Ryan had used in the past and knew information about her and her whereabouts at the time.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20names. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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