name

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing
The boy's name is Brad.
b
: a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity
2
: a descriptive often disparaging epithet
called him names
3
a
: reputation
gave the town a bad name
b
: an illustrious record : fame
made a name for himself in golf
c
: a person or thing with a reputation
one of the most detested names in history
4
: family, clan
was a disgrace to his name
5
: appearance as opposed to reality
a friend in name only
6
: one referred to by a name
praise his holy name

name

2 of 3

verb

named; naming

transitive verb

1
: to give a name to : call
2
a
: to mention or identify by name
refused to name a suspect
b
: to accuse by name
3
: to nominate for office : appoint
4
: to decide on : choose
name the day of the wedding
5
: to mention explicitly : specify
unwilling to name a price
namer noun

name

3 of 3

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or bearing a name
name tags
2
: appearing in the name of a literary or theatrical production
3
a
: having an established reputation
b
: featuring celebrities
Phrases
in the name of
1
: by authority of
open in the name of the law
2
: for the reason of : using the excuse of
called for reforms in the name of progress

Examples of name in a Sentence

Noun Please write your name on this line. State your name and occupation. I refused to give them my name. Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens. She registered at the hotel under a false name. My full name is Susan Elaine Smith. We had to memorize the names of all the countries in Africa. “What's your dog's name?” “His name is Sandy.” This is his song “Loving You” from the album of the same name. The ship's name was “Titanic.” Verb “What are you going to name your new dog?” “I think I'll name him Sandy.” The aptly named HMS “Victorious” helped the British Royal Navy win an important victory. A man named James Smith is on the phone. We named our daughter “Mary” in honor of her grandmother. Can you name the person who attacked you? All of the authors named above were influenced by his work. She was named to replace him as the company's vice president. Adjective the university's physics department boasts a number of name physicists
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Caddo Mama Bears, a conservative Facebook group, posted photos of Urban League fliers with Nickelson’s name misspelled. Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024 Rodrigo has embraced a growing activist role, and a portion of this tour’s proceeds is going to her nonprofit group, Fund 4 You, recently launched in the name of women’s rights. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2024 The names listed are of those who reported a burglary and the dates are when the crime is believed to have taken place. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2024 Police have not released his name or what charges he is expected to face. Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2024 Born on the Fourth of July in 1929 and raised in Maryland by Greek immigrants, Peter Angelos rose from a blue-collar background to launch a firm in his own name after receiving his law degree from the University of Baltimore in 1961. CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024 The student's name has not been released due to their age. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024 There are Purim spiels which re-enact the story (with the audience drowning out the name of Haman), often mapping it onto social critiques of the day. Deena Prichep, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024 The Enquirer reached out to Law Director William Deters for the name of the company and the total amount paid for their service. The Enquirer, 23 Mar. 2024
Verb
In 2016, Yearwood was named a Habitat Humanitarian alongside Brooks. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 25 Mar. 2024 In 2023, Tagovailoa was named to his first Pro Bowl and set career-high marks for passing yards (4,624) and touchdowns (29). Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024 The suspects, who are from the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan but worked in Russia on temporary or expired visas, were named by Moscow City Court as Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni and Mukhammadsobir Faizov. Christian Edwards, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024 He was named first-team All-Mountain West last season. Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2024 Trent Perry of Harvard-Westlake has been named the Gatorade state player of the year in basketball. . . Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024 Smith was named one of 10 candidates for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as men’s college hockey’s top player. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024 No assistant was specifically named to take over the role. Observer Wire Reports, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024 Thurgood Marshall’s Path to Desegregation In 1930, a young man named Thurgood Marshall, a native son of Baltimore, could not attend the University of Maryland’s law school, located in the city and state where his parents were taxpaying citizens. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Adjective
As interesting as the pro-name change argument may be, Zaslav may ultimately decide it’s not worth the investment in time and resources to make what is at the core a cosmetic change. Vulture, 23 June 2022 Although pancake mix and syrup are not sold out in most stores, most popular or name brand items are harder to come by. Dallas News, 26 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'name.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English nama; akin to Old High German namo name, Latin nomen, Greek onoma, onyma

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of name was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near name

Cite this Entry

“Name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/name. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

name

1 of 3 noun
1
: a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known
2
: a descriptive often insulting word or phrase
called him names
3
: reputation sense 2
made a name for herself
4
: appearance as opposed to fact
a friend in name only

name

2 of 3 verb
named; naming
1
: to give a name to : call
2
a
: to mention or identify by name
b
: to accuse by name
name the culprit
3
: to nominate for office : appoint
named the diplomat Secretary of State
4
: to decide upon : choose
name the date for a wedding
5
: to mention specifically
name a price
namer noun

name

3 of 3 adjective
1
: bearing a name
name tag
2
: having an established reputation
name performers
name brands

More from Merriam-Webster on name

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