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name

[ neym ]

/ neɪm /

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See synonyms for: name / named / names / naming on Thesaurus.com

noun

a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.

mere designation, as distinguished from fact: He was a king in name only.

an appellation, title, or epithet, applied descriptively, in honor, abuse, etc.

a reputation of a particular kind given by common opinion: to protect one's good name.

a distinguished, famous, or great reputation; fame: to make a name for oneself.

a widely known or famous person; celebrity: She's a name in show business.

an unpleasant or derogatory appellation or expression: Don't call your brother names! Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.

a personal or family name as exercising influence or bringing distinction: With that name they can get a loan at any bank in town.

a body of persons grouped under one name, as a family or clan.

the verbal or other symbolic representation of a thing, event, property, relation, or concept.

(initial capital letter) a symbol or vehicle of divinity:to take the Name in vain; the power of the Name.

verb (used with object), named, nam·ing.

to give a name to: to name a baby.

to accuse: He was named as the thief.

to call by an epithet: They named her speedy.

to identify, specify, or mention by name: Three persons were named in the report.

to designate for some duty or office; nominate or appoint: I have named you for the position.

to specify; suggest: Name a price.

to give the name of: Can you name the capital of Ohio?

to speak of.

British. (in the House of Commons) to cite (a member) for contempt.

adjective

famous; widely known: a name author.

designed for or carrying a name.

giving its name or title to a collection or anthology containing it: the name piece.

OTHER WORDS FOR name

4 repute, character, credit.

5 note, distinction, renown, eminence.

14 nickname, dub, denominate.

16 choose.

See synonyms for name on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR NAME

Why Are Our Names So Important?

In the classic Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet, Romeo questioned, “What’s in a name?” Good question: Why are names so important to us?

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about name

by name,

personally; individually: She was always careful to address every employee by name.
not personally; by repute: I know him by name only.

call names, to scold or speak abusively of or to a person: Better not to call names unless one is larger and considerably stronger than one's adversary.

in the name of,

with appeal to: In the name of mercy, stop that screaming!
by the authority of: Open, in the name of the law!
on behalf of: to purchase something in the name of another.
under the name or possession of: money deposited in the name of a son.
under the designation or excuse of: murder in the name of justice.

name names, to specify people by name, especially those who have been accomplices in a misdeed: The witness in the bribery investigation threatened to name names.

to one's name, in one's possession: I haven't a penny to my name.

Origin of name

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English nama; cognate with German Name, Gothic namô; akin to Old Norse nafn, Latin nōmen, Greek ónoma, Old Irish ainm, Polish imię, Czech jméno

synonym study for name

1. Name, title both refer to the label by which a person is known. Name is the simpler and more general word for appellation: The name is John. A title is an official or honorary term bestowed on a person or the specific designation of a book, article, etc.: He now has the title of Doctor. Treasure Island is the title of a book.

OTHER WORDS FROM name

namer, nounre·name, verb (used with object), re·named, re·nam·ing.self-named, adjectiveun·der·name, noun

un·der·named, adjectivewell-named, adjective

Words nearby name

namas kar, namaste, namaycush, namby-pamby, Nam Co, name, nameable, name after, nameboard, name-brand, name-caller

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use name in a sentence

The CDA was passed not in the name of censorship but in the name of protecting children from stumbling across sexual material.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Gronkowski” itself never manages to sound more erotic than the name of a hearty Polish stew or a D-list WWE performer.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yet, for god knows what reason, his name is never brought up in the “Great American Filmmaker” conversation.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A sad-faced orange Star of David flashed across the iPhone screen as we swiped left on “James” (not his real name).
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST

What they believe impacts economic policy, foreign policy, education policy, environmental policy, you name it.
The Evangelical Apocalypse Is All Your Fault|Jay Michaelson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In pursuing his alchemical researches, he discovered Prussian blue, and the animal oil which bears his name.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Elyon is the name of an ancient Phœnician god, slain by his son El, no doubt the “first-born of death” in Job xviii.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
"It is ill-fated;" and Alessandro blamed himself for having forgotten her only association with the name.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
"Garnache," came the other's crisp, metallic voice, and the name had a sound as of an oath on his lips.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for name

name

/ (neɪm) /

noun

a word or term by which a person or thing is commonly and distinctively knownRelated adjective: nominal

mere outward appearance or form as opposed to fact (esp in the phrase in name)he was a ruler in name only

a word, title, or phrase descriptive of character, usually abusive or derogatoryto call a person names

reputation, esp, if unspecified, good reputationhe's made quite a name for himself

a famous person or thinga name in the advertising world
mainly US and Canadian (as modifier)a name product

a member of Lloyd's who provides part of the capital of a syndicate and shares in its profits or losses but does not arrange its business

in the name of or under the name of using as a name

in the name of

for the sake of
by the sanction or authority of

know by name to have heard of without having met

name of the game

anything that is essential, significant, or important
expected or normal conditions, circumstances, etcin gambling, losing money's the name of the game

to one's name belonging to oneI haven't a penny to my name

verb (tr)

to give a name to; call by a nameshe named the child Edward

to refer to by name; citehe named three French poets

to determine, fix, or specifythey have named a date for the meeting

to appoint to or cite for a particular title, honour, or duty; nominatehe was named Journalist of the Year

to ban (an MP) from the House of Commons by mentioning him formally by name as being guilty of disorderly conduct

name and shame to reveal the identity of a person or organization guilty of illegal or unacceptable behaviour in order to embarrass them into not repeating the offence

name names to cite people, esp in order to blame or accuse them

name the day to choose the day for one's wedding

you name it whatever you need, mention, etc

Derived forms of name

namable or nameable, adjective

Word Origin for name

Old English nama, related to Latin nomen, Greek noma, Old High German namo, German Namen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with name

name

In addition to the idioms beginning with name

name after
name is mud, one's
name names
name of the game, the
name the day

also see:

call names
clear one's name
drop names
give a bad name
go by (the name of)
handle to one's name
in name only
in the name of
make a name for oneself
on a first-name basis
take someone's name in vain
to one's name
worthy of the name
you name it

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.