given name

American  

[giv-uhn naym] / ˈgɪv ən ˈneɪm /

noun

• given names
  plural

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

   His given name is John.

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given name British  

noun

1. another term for first name

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• given names
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of given name

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30

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Compare meaning

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

• surname vs. given name
• given name vs. family name

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

given name

“I never told nobody, I just kept doing every show,” said YoungBoy, who also goes by YoungBoy Never Broke Again and whose given name is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

When the reporter placed a letter for Paxton in the mailbox, an envelope addressed to Warren Paxton, the attorney general’s given name, was visible.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026

Pizza is not generally associated with Punjab, India, where Chahal — given name Harvarinderjit — is originally from.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026

The 38-year-old entrepreneur’s given name is Nathan Young.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2025

Her given name was Nomzamo, which means one who strives or imdergoes trials, a name as prophetic as my own.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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