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
Winterstone has tattooed monikers on many celebs, including Teigen and Matt Damon, who has his wife's and daughters' first names on his right arm.
—
Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Alejandra and Alexander, a couple who also want to be identified only by first names, snagged the last one.
—Teri Schultz, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
The trio play young men — all with the same first names as themselves — who share a Madrid apartment together.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
The three accused, who police only identified by first names and initials of their last names, were charged with membership in a foreign terrorist organization and preparing an act of violence endangering the state.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
One of the first names that crossed Valenzuela’s mind was Oscar Rodriguez.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
OpenAI also estimated the likely gender split among a large sample of ChatGPT users by using Social Security data and the World Gender Name Registry's list of strongly masculine or feminine first names.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Students signed the message but only with their first names.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Still only 20 years of age, Huijsen has rapidly become one of the first names on the Real Madrid teamsheet.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Alejandra and Alexander, a couple who also want to be identified only by first names, snagged the last one.
—Teri Schultz, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
The trio play young men — all with the same first names as themselves — who share a Madrid apartment together.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
The three accused, who police only identified by first names and initials of their last names, were charged with membership in a foreign terrorist organization and preparing an act of violence endangering the state.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
One of the first names that crossed Valenzuela’s mind was Oscar Rodriguez.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
OpenAI also estimated the likely gender split among a large sample of ChatGPT users by using Social Security data and the World Gender Name Registry's list of strongly masculine or feminine first names.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Students signed the message but only with their first names.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Still only 20 years of age, Huijsen has rapidly become one of the first names on the Real Madrid teamsheet.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first names
Noun
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The twins were given names based on their personalities, according to the release.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Her son Kovey James often goes by KJ, while her daughter Quincy already has a handful of playful nicknames, like Q, Quinn and Quince.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
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That information from customers was leaked in a full database, including customer’s names, mobile numbers, email addresses, license plate numbers, vehicle nicknames, and more.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20names. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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