as in first names
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 names
Why add a surname or include a father’s fathers’ given names given to me at birth to identify me?
—
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 6 Jan. 2026
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
The twins were given names based on their personalities, according to the release.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 6 Jan. 2026
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
The twins were given names based on their personalities, according to the release.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for given names
Noun
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Back then, the most popular male first names were James, John, Robert, Michael and William.—
Mike Schneider,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
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Viewers tend to refer to anchors like Savannah Guthrie, Robin Roberts and Gayle King by their first names and regard watching them as part of a morning ritual.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The French newspaper has given him various nicknames during the past four decades, tracing the arc of his public reputation.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
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One of them, named James Rogers, used the same phrases and nicknames Ryan had used in the past and knew information about her and her whereabouts at the time.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Given names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/given%20names. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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