name
Americannoun
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names
plural
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a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.
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mere designation, as distinguished from fact.
He was a king in name only.
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an appellation, title, or epithet, applied descriptively, in honor, abuse, etc.
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a reputation of a particular kind given by common opinion.
to protect one's good name.
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a distinguished, famous, or great reputation; fame.
to make a name for oneself.
- Synonyms:
- eminence, renown, distinction, note
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a widely known or famous person; celebrity.
She's a name in show business.
- Synonyms:
- personality
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an unpleasant or derogatory appellation or expression.
Don't call your brother names! Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.
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a personal or family name as exercising influence or bringing distinction.
With that name they can get a loan at any bank in town.
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a body of persons grouped under one name, as a family or clan.
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the verbal or other symbolic representation of a thing, event, property, relation, or concept.
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(initial capital letter) a symbol or vehicle of divinity.
to take the Name in vain; the power of the Name.
verb (used with object)
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names,
present (3rd person singular)
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named,
past participle, past
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naming
present participle
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to give a name to.
to name a baby.
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to accuse.
He was named as the thief.
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to call by an epithet.
They named her speedy.
- Synonyms:
- denominate, dub, nickname
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to identify, specify, or mention by name.
Three persons were named in the report.
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to designate for some duty or office; nominate or appoint.
I have named you for the position.
- Synonyms:
- choose
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Name a price.
- Synonyms:
- mention
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to give the name of.
Can you name the capital of Ohio?
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to speak of.
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British. (in the House of Commons) to cite (a member) for contempt.
adjective
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famous; widely known.
a name author.
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designed for or carrying a name.
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giving its name or title to a collection or anthology containing it.
the name piece.
idioms
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name names, to specify people by name, especially those who have been accomplices in a misdeed.
The witness in the bribery investigation threatened to name names.
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call names, to scold or speak abusively of or to a person.
Better not to call names unless one is larger and considerably stronger than one's adversary.
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by name,
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personally; individually.
She was always careful to address every employee by name.
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not personally; by repute.
I know him by name only.
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to one's name, in one's possession.
I haven't a penny to my name.
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in the name of,
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with appeal to.
In the name of mercy, stop that screaming!
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by the authority of.
Open, in the name of the law!
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on behalf of.
to purchase something in the name of another.
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under the name or possession of.
money deposited in the name of a son.
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under the designation or excuse of.
murder in the name of justice.
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noun
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a word or term by which a person or thing is commonly and distinctively known
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mere outward appearance or form as opposed to fact (esp in the phrase in name )
he was a ruler in name only
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a word, title, or phrase descriptive of character, usually abusive or derogatory
to call a person names
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reputation, esp, if unspecified, good reputation
he's made quite a name for himself
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a famous person or thing
a name in the advertising world
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( as modifier )
a name product
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a member of Lloyd's who provides part of the capital of a syndicate and shares in its profits or losses but does not arrange its business
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using as a name
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for the sake of
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by the sanction or authority of
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to have heard of without having met
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anything that is essential, significant, or important
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expected or normal conditions, circumstances, etc
in gambling, losing money's the name of the game
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belonging to one
I haven't a penny to my name
verb
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to give a name to; call by a name
she named the child Edward
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to refer to by name; cite
he named three French poets
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to determine, fix, or specify
they have named a date for the meeting
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to appoint to or cite for a particular title, honour, or duty; nominate
he was named Journalist of the Year
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to ban (an MP) from the House of Commons by mentioning him formally by name as being guilty of disorderly conduct
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to reveal the identity of a person or organization guilty of illegal or unacceptable behaviour in order to embarrass them into not repeating the offence
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to cite people, esp in order to blame or accuse them
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to choose the day for one's wedding
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whatever you need, mention, etc
Synonym Usage
Name, title both refer to the label by which a person is known. Name is the simpler and more general word for appellation: The name is John. A title is an official or honorary term bestowed on a person or the specific designation of a book, article, etc.: He now has the title of Doctor. Treasure Island is the title of a book.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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namernoun
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undernamenoun
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renameverb (used with object)
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namableadjective
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self-namedadjective
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undernamedadjective
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well-namedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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namesimple
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namessimple
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have namedperfect
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has namedperfect
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am namingprogressive
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are namingprogressive
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is namingprogressive
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have been namingperfect progressive
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has been namingperfect progressive
Past
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namedsimple
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had namedperfect
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was namingprogressive
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were namingprogressive
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had been namingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of name
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English nama; cognate with German Name, Gothic namô; akin to Old Norse nafn, Latin nōmen, Greek ónoma, Old Irish ainm, Polish imię, Czech jméno
Explanation
Your name is what you are called: Bill or Jennifer or whatever. Parents name their children, and children name their pets. Most of us have our first given name and our family name or surname. But name is also used more broadly: people who have made a name for themselves are well-known. Someone who calls us names makes fun of us. If you do something wrong that others find out about, you could give yourself a bad name — hurt your reputation. Someone can be named in a lawsuit or named to a committee. Naming is about identity — who you are.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She’s the first to throw her name in the hat for the primary in March 2028.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2026
He said: "It's unfortunate to say the least that an extremely dangerous man was in a position, under a new name, to start a relationship with this poor woman."
From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026
I’m also open to just keeping the home in my name and he rents from me, but I think he would only want that option if he doesn’t sell and just rents out his house.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026
Amateur athletes’ ability to sign endorsement deals that monetize their name, image and likeness has pumped billions of dollars into college sports.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
Parker Kingfisher and I were on the same side of the debate that a tribe had the right to authorize the use of their name, like with copyright protections.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
ICE first issued a subpoena in August 2025 seeking the names and birth dates of all men living in the shelter as part of an investigation examining whether any residents there are subject to deportation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
Its growing influence has attracted some of the biggest names in entertainment to its cast.
From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026
Election officials elsewhere in California also reported problems with the lists, including names of people who did not appear to live in their counties or to be registered voters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2026
“It screens out speculative names and whittles down the list to companies with long track records of profitability, sound management teams and strong fundamentals.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 7, 2026
Theo asks, as we stare at the remaining names.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
She was identified as Tahrir Nabhan, while the children were named as Mariam Nabhan and her brother Salah, and Habiba al-Zein.
From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026
AI music generator Suno faces two more copyright lawsuits, and one of them tests a law named after the plaintiff.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2026
OTTAWA—Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney named the co-chief investment officer at Bridgewater Associates, Karen Karniol-Tambour, as the head of the country’s new sovereign-wealth fund.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
Zambia striker Barbra Banda, named in the team for the third time, is the only player in the side based outside England or Spain.
From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026
My brain silently named each of the large stone buildings that surrounded the Mall—the Roosevelt Building, the Revere Building, and the Edison Building with its impressive clock tower.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
"He deserves to make an impression for us," said the German in his news conference after naming the squad.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
Musk made or retweeted around 60 posts naming Talarico, including one that called him “Pure evil.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Immigration was also a factor, with 90% of Latino voters supporting a balanced immigration system and a quarter of them naming ICE and immigration reform as among their top three issues, following cost of living.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
Final results await the expiry of a three-day appeals period, after which parliament will be constituted, and the leaderless movement will form a government, naming a prime minister.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
He told me about Linnaeus and his system for naming all living things in Nature and how we still followed this system whenever we named a new species.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
