given names

noun

plural of given name
as in first names
a name that is placed before one's family name everyone calls me Jack, but my given name is John

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of given names The humanoid robots, dressed in black Tau Robotics uniforms and given names such as Chelsea and Elon, perform household chores like vacuuming, cleaning kitchen counters and taking out the trash. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 In this latest phase, many harms that were once difficult to describe have been given names, so that they can be better identified and confronted. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 Many have since been microchipped and given names. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2026 The seven kittens were given names meant to honor where they were born. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026 Why add a surname or include a father’s fathers’ given names given to me at birth to identify me? — Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 6 Jan. 2026 The twins were given names based on their personalities, according to the release. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for given names
  1. first names
  2. nicknames
Noun
  • Louise Nevelson may not be among the first names that come to mind in the pantheon of important artists of the modernist movement.
    — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Osterholm sent this text message in August 2021 to several people, with just their first names included.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of first names
Noun
  • There are famous sailing ships with female names that many Americans can cite, such as the nicknames for the three Spanish ships — the Niña, Pinta and Santa María — used by Christopher Columbus during his famed first voyage to the New World in 1492.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Hig nicknames her The Beast, which seems more of an inner monologue moniker.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of nicknames

Browse Nearby Words

given name
given names
given notice
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Given names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/given%20names. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All