Jump to:

• 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.

---

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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of first name¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50

Origin of first-name²

First recorded in 1300–50

Example Sentences

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

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

"Al-Kharj is now in the news, and friends call to check on us with almost every update," said government employee Turki, who also gave just his first name.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

The plaintiff at the heart of the case was only known by her first name Kaley, and after nine days of deliberation, the jurors agreed with her on all counts.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

His girlfriend — identified in court only by her first name, Victoria — testified she was in the bedroom alone when she heard the sound of someone entering the incorrect code to the front door.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

My brain scrambled and spat out the first name that came to mind.

From "The Honest Truth" by Dan Gemeinhart

Related Words

• given name