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
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
Character names were also changed so there weren’t at least four people with capital-A first names.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 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
In 2017, the school district began requiring that teachers use transgender students’ first names and pronouns.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
When most people think of Washington wine, Walla Walla or Yakima are probably the first names that come to mind.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2025
Max Saltman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Character names were also changed so there weren’t at least four people with capital-A first names.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 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
In 2017, the school district began requiring that teachers use transgender students’ first names and pronouns.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
When most people think of Washington wine, Walla Walla or Yakima are probably the first names that come to mind.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 18 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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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
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And though some nicknames can wear out their welcome with age, McCollough does not feel that way about his.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20names. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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