Dictionary

first name en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (UK) audio

Etymology

From Middle English firste name, first nam, equivalent to first + name.

Meanings

1. The first element of a full name, particularly when it could also be surname in East Asian and other cultural traditions.
   • In a structure typical for East Asia cultures, first names are usually used as family names. It usually identifies that person is a one of the members of a group (typically a family or clan) who have a common family name.
2. Synonym of given name, particularly when it forms the first element of a full name.
   • Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16.[…]Children address teachers by their first names. Even 15-year-olds do no more than 30 minutes' homework a night. 2013 July 19, Peter Wilby, “Finland's education ambassador spreads the word”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, archived from the original on 02 Feb 2014, page 30:

Forms

Deriveds

first-name · first-nameless

Synonyms

particularly when it forms the first element of a full name · given name