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-name¹

First recorded in 1300–50

Example Sentences

I learned the first names of my immediate neighbors through brief elevator rides and laundry room small talk.

From Salon

Bernal has so many players with the first name of Nathan that he has to call them by their last name.

From Los Angeles Times

A Minneapolis resident who asked to be identified only by her first name, Jessica, held back tears as she described why she felt compelled to be there.

From Barron's

As a college senior, Bias bought an ankle-length fur coat, a Nissan 380ZX sports car and a gold bracelet encrusted with diamonds spelling his first name, the Washington Post reported.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rose's first name was used by the tribunal along with they/them pronouns.

From BBC

Related Words

• given name