What is "given name"

Given \Giv"en\, p. p. & a. from Give, v.

1. (Math. & Logic) Granted; assumed; supposed to be known; set forth as a known quantity, relation, or premise.

2. Disposed; inclined; -- used with an adv.; as, virtuously given.
   --Shak.

3. Stated; fixed; as, in a given time.

   Given name, the Christian name, or name given by one's parents or guardians, as distinguished from the surname, which is inherited. [Colloq.]

Name \Name\ (n[=a]m), n. [AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G. name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn, Goth. nam[=o], L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr. 'o`mona, Scr. n[=a]man. [root]267. Cf. Anonymous, Ignominy, Misnomer, Nominal, Noun.]

1. The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.

   Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
   --Gen. ii. 19.

   What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.
   --Shak.

2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts.

   His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
   --Is. ix. 6.

3. Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction.

   What men of name resort to him?
   --Shak.

   Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
   --Eph. i. 21.

   I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom.
   --1 Macc. iii. 1

4. He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin.
   --Deut. xxii. 19.

   The king's army . . . had left no good name behind.
   --Clarendon.

   4. Those of a certain name; a race; a family.

   The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities.
   --Motley.

5. A person, an individual. [Poetic] They list with women each degenerate name. --Dryden. Christian name.

   1. The name a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname; baptismal name; in western countries, it is also called a first name.

   2. A given name, whether received at baptism or not. Given name. See under Given. In name, in profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in name. In the name of.

      1. In behalf of; by the authority of. `` I charge you in the duke's name to obey me.''
         --Shak.

      2. In the represented or assumed character of. ``I'll to him again in name of Brook.''
         --Shak.

         Name plate, a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate.

         Pen name, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom de plume.
         --Bayard Taylor.

         Proper name (Gram.), a name applied to a particular person, place, or thing.

         To call names, to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations.

         To take a name in vain, to use a name lightly or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths.
         --Ex. xx. 7.

         Syn: Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination; epithet.

         Usage: Name, Appellation, Title, Denomination. Name is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or letters by which a person or thing is known and distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive term (called also agnomen or cognomen), used by way of marking some individual peculiarity or characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford, Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular bodies what appellation is to individuals; thus, the church of Christ is divided into different denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.

n. (context chiefly Australia NZ US and Scotland English) A first name, a name chosen for a child, usually by the child's parents; a forename.

n. the name that precedes the surname [syn: first name, forename]

A given name (also known as a personal name, first name, forename, or Christian name) is a part of a person's full nomenclature. It identifies a specific person, and differentiates that person from other members of a group, such as a family or clan, with whom that person shares a common surname. The term given name refers to the fact that the name usually is bestowed upon a person, normally given to a child by its parents at or near the time of birth. This contrasts with a surname (also known as a family name, last name, or gentile name), which is normally inherited, and shared with other members of the child's immediate family.

Regnal names and religious or monastic names are special types of given names, as they are given to adults upon them receiving the crown or entering a religious order and as such are replacing the original given name of those persons.

Given names are often used in a familiar and friendly manner in informal situations. In more formal situations the surname is more commonly used, unless it is necessary to distinguish between people with the same surname. The idioms "on a first-name basis" and "being on first-name terms" allude to the familiarity of addressing another by a given name.