Vocabulary: Names

A name is a word or set of words that a person is known by.

• "What's your name?" "My name is Hussain."

Your last name, family name or surname is the part of your name that all the members of your family have. They come at the end of your full name.

• His first name is Donald and his last name is Hill.

Your first name  (also known as given name ) is the name that is given to you at birth. In writing, we use forename to refer to someone's first name.

• James is a common first name in the USA. 

Your middle name is the second name that is placed between your first name and last name.

• The president Ronald W. Reagan's middle name was "Wilson".

Your full name is your whole name, including your first name, middle name, and family name.

• Please state your full name and address.

A married woman's maiden name is the original family name she used before she got married.

• She decided to take back her maiden name.

We use née after a married woman's name to introduce her maiden name.

• Susan White, née Clark.

Your nickname is the informal name that your friends or family call you, usually based on your personality, appearance or real name.

• Jake is a nickname for Jacob.  

Phrases related to name

call someone by their first name/full name

• Please call me by my first name.

know someone by name

• I only know him by name [I only know his name].

by the name of something
called something:

• a young man by the name of Steve

bear a name
have a particular name:

• He bore the name Alfred.

See also:
Family members