first name

¹

noun

1. given name.

first-name

²

[ adjective furst-neym; verb furst-neym ]

adjective

1. of or relating to one's first, or given, name; familiar; intimate:

   They were on a first-name basis soon after meeting.

verb (used with object)

, first-named, first-nam·ing.

1. to address (someone) by their first name, especially as a sign of informality or familiarity:

   The boss doesn't like the employees to first-name her.

first name

noun

1. a name given to a person at birth, as opposed to a surname Also calledChristian nameforenamegiven name

Word History and Origins

Origin of first name¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50

Origin of first name²

First recorded in 1300–50

Example Sentences

In keeping with Ukrainian military protocol, only his first name was shared.

From Los Angeles Times

In an alternate reality, Harris might have faced a Republican opponent who didn't question her racial identity and routinely mispronounce her first name.

From Salon

It was a holiday in South Korea, but Joshua Hong, who goes by his first name, took his one day off to chat about his group’s upcoming world tour.

From Los Angeles Times

The couple, who are originally from Kerala, India where a father's first name is used as a surname, now have their own room in the hospital.

From BBC

The pair performed a scripted exchange featuring puns on Harris's first name, Kamala, including "keep calm-ala" and "carry on-ala".

From BBC

Related Words

• given name