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
The musician, whose given name is LaRussell Dwayne Thomas, has quickly gone from releasing his music independently to being signed to one of the biggest labels in the world.
—
Georgia Dawkins, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for given name
Georgia Dawkins, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for given name
Recent Examples of Synonyms for given name
Noun
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Victim vividly remembers night of assault Bethany, who spoke to the Star-Telegram in an interview after the verdict and agreed for her first name to be published, was helping her friend look for a bartending job to pay for college in 2017.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
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The couple — Ramon and Elsy — asked to be identified by their first names only, citing fear of retaliation.—
Shoshana Walter,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Haida Gwaii, formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, is a place with many nicknames.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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The players, who mostly went by unique nicknames, had to be over the age of 18, not currently playing in college and have played in fewer than 162 NBA games to be eligible to compete.—
Jason Beede,
Sun Sentinel,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Given name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/given%20name. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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