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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Recent Examples of given name
The Woodward Center named the mama dog Noel, and her puppies were given names based on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Drummer, Piper, Lord, Lady, Maid, Swan, Goose, Ring, Calling Bird, French Hen, Turtle Dove and Partridge.
—
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
Everyone from kings and queens to gold medalists and Academy Award winners have been given names inspired by the religious text.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 24 Dec. 2025
One of the most moving moments came from conversations with schoolchildren, who decided that the ancestors should be given names before they were reburied.
—Joanna Gilmore, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2025
The twins were given names based on their personalities, according to the release.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for given name
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Dec. 2025
Everyone from kings and queens to gold medalists and Academy Award winners have been given names inspired by the religious text.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 24 Dec. 2025
One of the most moving moments came from conversations with schoolchildren, who decided that the ancestors should be given names before they were reburied.
—Joanna Gilmore, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2025
The twins were given names based on their personalities, according to the release.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for given name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for given name
Noun
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At the Farm graduation ceremony, envelopes labelled with the first name and last initial of each new officer were placed on a large table.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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With him was 35-year-old Hani, a technically minded cousin who spearheaded the effort to understand how the abduction took place, and who gave only his first name to avoid reprisals.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The sweeping structures bear a striking resemblance to the sensory organs sported by members of the insect world, which eventually granted them the nickname of the Antennae Galaxies.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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The Barn is also a nickname for a house Ciani used to have in Boulder.—
Max Scheinblum,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Given name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/given%20name. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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