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
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
Many comments centered on the absence of wrestling’s Hulk Hogan (given name Terry Bullea), while others mentioned the lack of Alice‘s Polly Holiday, even though her castmate, Linda Lavin, was included.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Sep. 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
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
Many comments centered on the absence of wrestling’s Hulk Hogan (given name Terry Bullea), while others mentioned the lack of Alice‘s Polly Holiday, even though her castmate, Linda Lavin, was included.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Sep. 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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Sure, a few characters have the same first names, but keeping track of the various Earnshaws and Lintons is a walk in the park compared to the Russian canon.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
3 Feb. 2026
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Mention St Barth’s and Le Ti is often the first name people bring up.—
Molly Barstein,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For three quarters, The Dark Side – the intimidating nickname bestowed upon this group – held Drake Maye and the Patriots offense to 78 yards.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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During an annular solar eclipse, the moon covers a majority of the sun, leaving a distinct ring of light, hence the nickname 'ring of fire' eclipse.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Given name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/given%20name. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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