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

Then he proceeded to invite Oscar Isaac, the Guatemalan actor who utilizes his given name professionally, suggesting they might be related.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

The Chicago rapper, whose given name is Durk Banks, was found not guilty of conspiracy, stalking resulting in death and murder for hire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 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

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

His given name was Johann, but the friars changed it to Gregor Johann Mendel.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

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