Definition of forenamenext
as in nickname
a name that is placed before one's family name a long string of forenames was given to the latest addition to the royal family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forename Alan, whose forename appeared in initial reports with its Turkish spelling, Aylan, died with his brother, Galip, 5; their mother, Rihan; and two other refugees when a dinghy carrying 14 migrants toward the Greek island of Kos capsized. New York Times, 13 Mar. 2020 Removing professional athletes and a couple of Hollywood personalities who once called Cleveland home, the contemporary list of recognizable forenames is essentially narrowed to a single person: Tamir. Phillip Morris, cleveland.com, 31 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forename
Noun
  • There were other nicknames, too, some less flattering than others.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 9 May 2026
  • The Redskins moved forward as the Washington Football Team in 2020 because the hasty retreat from the original nickname didn't give the club time to come up with something new.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • Victim vividly remembers night of assault Bethany, who spoke to the Star-Telegram in an interview after the verdict and agreed for her first name to be published, was helping her friend look for a bartending job to pay for college in 2017.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forename.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forename. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on forename

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster