as in Christian names
a name that is placed before one's family name
the parents still haven't picked a first name for the baby
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Recent Examples of first names
Levy took out a laptop and began shouting first names.
—
Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Sure, a few characters have the same first names, but keeping track of the various Earnshaws and Lintons is a walk in the park compared to the Russian canon.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
Ken and Lisa, who also wanted to be identified only by their first names, were hoping to buy their dream home in a low-fire-risk area but couldn't get insurance.
—Julie Watts, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Courting couples couldn't use each other's first names.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
The Hialeah Police Department did not identify the females’ first names or ages.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
Both health systems only released the first names of the parents and newborns.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2026
In Sweden, first names must be cleared by the Tax Agency, which rejects those likely to cause offense, and name changes must retain at least one original name.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Winterstone has tattooed monikers on many celebs, including Teigen and Matt Damon, who has his wife's and daughters' first names on his right arm.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Sure, a few characters have the same first names, but keeping track of the various Earnshaws and Lintons is a walk in the park compared to the Russian canon.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 3 Feb. 2026
Ken and Lisa, who also wanted to be identified only by their first names, were hoping to buy their dream home in a low-fire-risk area but couldn't get insurance.
—Julie Watts, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Courting couples couldn't use each other's first names.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
The Hialeah Police Department did not identify the females’ first names or ages.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2026
Both health systems only released the first names of the parents and newborns.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2026
In Sweden, first names must be cleared by the Tax Agency, which rejects those likely to cause offense, and name changes must retain at least one original name.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Winterstone has tattooed monikers on many celebs, including Teigen and Matt Damon, who has his wife's and daughters' first names on his right arm.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first names
Noun
-
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
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The Woodward Center named the mama dog Noel, and her puppies were given names based on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Drummer, Piper, Lord, Lady, Maid, Swan, Goose, Ring, Calling Bird, French Hen, Turtle Dove and Partridge.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
New sports have been added to the program and with that come new terms or nicknames for tactics, maneuvers or objects that beginner fans might not be familiar with.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The nicknames aren’t really that inspiring on either side just yet.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first%20names. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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