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
Every year Close is among the first names that come up from pundits trying to predict overdue stars who could receive this award.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 June 2026
They were identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen.
—Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
She and others were identified by their first names only to protect their privacy.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
His mother, Martha — who asked that CBS News use their first names only to protect their privacy — says the experience saved his life.
—Samantha Rappaport, CBS News, 18 May 2026
And when asked to describe the rest of his life in five words, Obama chose the words joy and useful, plus the first names of former first lady Michelle Obama and their two kids, Malia and Sasha.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The couple — Ramon and Elsy — asked to be identified by their first names only, citing fear of retaliation.
—Shoshana Walter, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
For the first time in decades, the federal government published data showing the most common first names of the entire population.
—Joe Murphy, NBC news, 6 May 2026
Sandy Proksa is an expressive arts specialist who worked with at least 10 of the dozens of artists represented in the exhibit, including the two who attended the opening, identified in the gallery only by their first names Mark and Velta.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 June 2026
They were identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen.
—Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
She and others were identified by their first names only to protect their privacy.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
His mother, Martha — who asked that CBS News use their first names only to protect their privacy — says the experience saved his life.
—Samantha Rappaport, CBS News, 18 May 2026
And when asked to describe the rest of his life in five words, Obama chose the words joy and useful, plus the first names of former first lady Michelle Obama and their two kids, Malia and Sasha.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The couple — Ramon and Elsy — asked to be identified by their first names only, citing fear of retaliation.
—Shoshana Walter, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
For the first time in decades, the federal government published data showing the most common first names of the entire population.
—Joe Murphy, NBC news, 6 May 2026
Sandy Proksa is an expressive arts specialist who worked with at least 10 of the dozens of artists represented in the exhibit, including the two who attended the opening, identified in the gallery only by their first names Mark and Velta.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 May 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
-
Algeria has some cool team nicknames, from the Greens to the Desert Foxes (or Fennecs).—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
-
King delighted fans with his memorable calls and nicknames.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“First names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20names. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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