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Synonyms

forename

American  
[fawr-neym, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌneɪm, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

  1. a name that precedes the family name or surname; first name.


forename British  
/ ˈfɔːˌneɪm /

noun

  1. a first or Christian name

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of forename

First recorded in 1525–35; fore- + name

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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.

Bulgaria have three players in their squad called Iliev, which I believe derives from the forename Iliya.

From The Guardian • Nov. 15, 2021

There have been times when I feel like their pronunciation of my forename should win out over mine.

From The Guardian • May 23, 2016

In various court documents, Quok’s forename appears as Cuarco, Quack, Quork, Quaco, Quarko, but most commonly as Quok, which is the spelling I have adopted.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2015

Please don't just sign your Christmas cards with just your forename.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2013

After Solomon’s time, the titular name Pharaoh never occurs alone, but only as a forename, as Pharaoh Necho, Pharaoh Hophra, Pharaoh Shishak.

From Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook, Vol. 3 by Brewer, Ebenezer Cobham