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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

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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.

Mojtaba Khamenei—his given name is the Arabic word for “chosen”—was born in 1969 in the religious hub of Mashhad.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

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

Instead of working under my given name, Adel, I went by Eddie, then Edvardo, and finally Vardo Bissiccio, leaving my Arabic name out of my career.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 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

He knew the Whisperer wanted Sticky’s given name.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

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