Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

given name

American  
[giv-uhn neym] / ˈgɪv ən ˈneɪm /

noun

  1. the name given to a person, as distinguished from an inherited family name; first name; Christian name.

    His given name is John.


given name British  

noun

  1. another term for first 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

Etymology

Origin of given name

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30

Compare meaning

How does given-name compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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.

He, whose given name can translate as “guarding the east,” led the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command from 2019 to early 2022, overseeing forces stationed closest to Taiwan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

His father, a former high jumper, chose his son’s given name of Sorato, which is written with characters that mean “sky” and “jump.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 2, 2025

He will then introduce the new Pope by his chosen papal name, which may or may not be his original given name.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

Jed, whose given name was Edwin Jed Fish Gould III, died at home in Pasadena under hospice care, his close friends confirmed to The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2025

Too late I realize my mistake: In the newspaper where his death was announced, Mrs. Dannenberg’s son was listed by his given name, Charles.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "given name" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com