Jump To:

• big name
  big name

  noun

  a person who has a preeminent public reputation in a specified field.
• big-name
  big-name

  adjective

  having a widespread public reputation as a leader in a specified field; famous.

big name

¹ American  

noun

1. a person who has a preeminent public reputation in a specified field.

   He's a big name in education.

---

big-name ² American  

[big-neym] / ˈbɪgˌneɪm /

adjective

1. having a widespread public reputation as a leader in a specified field; famous.

   a big-name doctor; a big-name actress.

2. of, relating to, or composed of a big-name person or persons.

---

big name British  

noun

1. informal

   1. a famous person

   2. ( as modifier )

      a big-name performer

---

Etymology

Origin of big name¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Origin of big-name²

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

Heron Power, a start-up focused on making solid-state transformers for data centers, has been raising money at a fast clip from big name investors.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

To use as bargaining chips for either a big name like the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo or, better yet, to acquire important foundational pieces to retrofit the roster around Luka Doncic?

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Those payouts can range from a few hundred dollars for social-media posts promoting a local restaurant to five-figure trading card deals for big name players.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Chelsea are a big name and a side full of top players, but we have written history.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

A big name for such a little guy.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin