first name

¹

noun

1. given name.

first-name

²

[ adjective furst-neym; verb furst-neym ]

adjective

1. of or relating to one's first, or given, name; familiar; intimate:

   They were on a first-name basis soon after meeting.

verb (used with object)

, first-named, first-nam·ing.

1. to address (someone) by their first name, especially as a sign of informality or familiarity:

   The boss doesn't like the employees to first-name her.

first name

noun

1. a name given to a person at birth, as opposed to a surname Also calledChristian nameforenamegiven name

Word History and Origins

Origin of first name¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50

Origin of first name²

First recorded in 1300–50

Example Sentences

He still pinches himself, he said, for being on first-name basis with folks like the Clintons.

From The Daily Beast

Voters are on a first-name basis with candidates because of it.

From The Daily Beast

That warm, fuzzy feeling is reciprocated—more often than not on a first-name basis.

From The Daily Beast

"Doan' go so fas', Hoo," called Mr. Lum, for they had long since reached the first-name stage.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, then, are you on first-name terms with everyone in the scientific group except me?

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed unlikely that necktie drummers would be on terms of first-name intimacy with Shakespeare.

From Project Gutenberg

They had dropped formality and were on a first-name basis now.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm not normally a first-name-snatcher, but I do seem to have fallen into saying 'Milt.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• given name