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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

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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
  • Son of Spergy — the title is a nod to the nickname of Caesar’s father, gospel singer Norwill Simmonds — is the fourth album by the singer-songwriter.
    Trevor Anderson, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The 22-year-old Scarberry said the shop is named after the nickname her friends gave her.
    Jason Dill November 5, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Even then, the first name that popped up was indeed Kravitz’s.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Focus group participants were identified only by their first name and last initial.
    Halle Troadec, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forename.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forename. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.

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