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
In Sweden, first names must be cleared by the Tax Agency, which rejects those likely to cause offense, and name changes must retain at least one original name.
—
Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
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
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
Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
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
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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In a post dripping with arrogance, Lynch dished out demeaning nicknames for her recent opponents.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The two have engaged in secret phone calls, developed jokey nicknames, snuck off to smoke joints, and even had some pretty vulnerable conversations.—
John Ortved,
Vogue,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20names. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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