first-name

¹

[furst-neym, 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-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

²

noun

1. given name.

first name

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of first-name¹

First recorded in 1300–50

Origin of first-name²

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50

Example Sentences

"The look of it is scary -- it looks like alcohol," said Sheikha, 18, who asked to be identified by her first name only.

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“Joylette, are you home?” a woman’s voice called out to my mother by her first name as her knuckles rapped on the door.

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But for Wales, Johnson would expect to be one of the first names on the team sheet - even if his performances have underwhelmed for some time.

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Boko Haram lost four fighters in the battle, according to the former militant, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Saddiku.

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All he knew about his father was his first name, his height, and that he was a "nice man from Istanbul".

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Related Words

• given name