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• first name
  first name

  noun

  given name.
• first-name
  first-name

  adjective

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

first name

¹ American  

noun

1. given name.

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first-name ² American  

[furst-neym, furst-neym] / ˈfɜrstˌneɪm, ˈfɜrstˈneɪm /

adjective

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

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

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verb (used with object)

first-named, first-naming

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 British  

noun

1. Also called: Christian name.   forename.   given name.  a name given to a person at birth, as opposed to a surname

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Etymology

Origin of first name¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50

Origin of first-name²

First recorded in 1300–50

Example Sentences

The great 17th-century French painter de La Tour spelled his first name Georges.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

And we all know her first name, because she made sure we’d never forget.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

With him was 35-year-old Hani, a technically minded cousin who spearheaded the effort to understand how the abduction took place, and who gave only his first name to avoid reprisals.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

"But this ability to integrate with all kinds of other celebrations makes it kind of unique," the 65-year-old, who asked that only his first name be used, told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

Principal Jenkins seems a little irked at being called by his first name, but he doesn’t say anything.

From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya

Related Words

• given name