as in first name
a name that is placed before one's family name
everyone calls me Jack, but my given name is John
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of given name
Before Wales’ women’s teams were given names on the back of their shirts in 2019, Fishlock’s was the one people could reel off, a byword for Welsh women’s football.
—
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Recent options at An’s Dry Cleaning, which are given names related to fabric, included Canvas (olive oil and rosemary), Broken Heart Brocade (chocolate, brownie and raspberry jam) and Melton (mango and peach).
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Not even a year into Lai’s term, China has broken precedent by staging three large-scale exercises, which were given names to raise their profile and distinguish them from smaller drills.
—Bonny Lin, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2025
This season, the turtles in long-term care were given names based on Greek mythology.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for given name
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Recent options at An’s Dry Cleaning, which are given names related to fabric, included Canvas (olive oil and rosemary), Broken Heart Brocade (chocolate, brownie and raspberry jam) and Melton (mango and peach).
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Not even a year into Lai’s term, China has broken precedent by staging three large-scale exercises, which were given names to raise their profile and distinguish them from smaller drills.
—Bonny Lin, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2025
This season, the turtles in long-term care were given names based on Greek mythology.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for given name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for given name
Noun
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Don’t be pushy, show your gratitude, be open-minded, smile, greet people by their first name, learn what interests them and, most of all, have a sense of humor.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
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Watley-Neely's first name was spelled Lemuel in online jail and court records.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That is, of course, until recent reports about William and Harry’s nicknames for her resurfaced.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
24 Sep. 2025
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People often don’t select the nickname they are given.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Given name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/given%20name. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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