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Synonyms

forename

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

noun

  • forenames
    plural
  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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

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.

See Examples For:

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

From The Guardian Nov. 15, 2021

Born in Harlem, New York, the star received his unusual forename from his father, Dudley MacDonald Gooding.

From BBC Apr. 21, 2017

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

Mr. BREX, with the forename of TWELLS, Against all the bishops rebels, And so fiercely upbraids Their remarks on air-raids That he rouses the envy of WELLS.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 153, October 31, 1917 by Various

Wouldn’t we get to laugh at the prince’s ridiculous forenames?

From Slate May 19, 2018

It's even-steven on this score - the only difference being the spelling of their forenames.

From BBC Nov. 21, 2013

Yet this experience did not strengthen the MPs' questioning, but seemed to make them even tamer, as Mr Diamond addressed them by their forenames and dead-batted the most polished questions.

From The Guardian Jul. 4, 2012

In South Africa, the transgender community has won some victories - the Department of Home Affairs agreed this October to change the gender and forenames of a transgender woman.

From Reuters Nov. 16, 2011

The father carried the Russian forenames Michael Gregory.

From Time Magazine Archive

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