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.

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given name British  

noun

1. another term for first name

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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:

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

Example Sentences

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

This defenseman, whose given name was John Francis Hughes, was among the final cuts made by Coach Herb Brooks to the 1980 U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

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

As the son of two Ethiopian immigrants who migrated to Canada, Tesfaye is ready to reclaim his given name and identity — struggles that many diaspora people like myself know all too well.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2025

He knew the Whisperer wanted Sticky’s given name.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart