Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

name

- definition

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

noun

/neɪm/

singular	name
plural	names

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

more dictionary definitions

See also
Word sets

1
[countable] a word or set of words by which a person or thing is usually known
My name is Judith Kramer.
Please write your name, address, and telephone number on the list.
name of:
What's the name of this flower?
name for:
I think it's a great name for a band.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
2
[countable] a word or words that someone calls another person in order to insult them
call someone names:
They used to call me all kinds of names at school.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
3
[singular] a reputation
a good/bad name:
These people have ruined the school's good name.
make a name for yourself/make your name (as something):
He first made a name for himself as a singer.
have/get a name for (doing) something:
We have a name for providing professional and discreet service.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
4
[countable] someone who is famous or well known
Some of the biggest names in television were there.
She's one of the most famous names in country music.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
See also big name

phrases

by name
referring to someone or something by using their name
Did she ask for us by name?
We knew only one of them by name.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
by the name of something
called something
a Confederate soldier by the name of William Bayne
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
give your name to something
to be the reason why something is called by a particular name, especially because you have discovered or invented it
Alessandro Volta, the scientist who gave his name to the volt
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
go by the name of something
to use a particular name, especially when it is not your real name
a young singer who went by the name of Joni Jones
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
something has someone's name on it
often humorous
used for saying that someone should have something, or that it is suitable for them
That last piece of cake has my name on it.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
in all but name
a situation that exists in all but name does exist, although it is not given an official name or title
He was king in all but name.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
in name only
something that exists in name only has an official name, but has none of the qualities that you think of when you hear that name
Theirs was a marriage in name only.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
in the name of
1. 1
  representing someone or something
  They said they came in the name of peace.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
2. 2
  using the authority given by someone or something
  She claimed to be acting in the name of the heirs to the estate.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
the name of the game
informal
something that you must do if you want to be successful at a particular activity or business
The name of the game is getting to know the right people.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
put a name to
to remember or say what someone or something is called
I had a feeling that I could not quite put a name to.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
put a name to a face
to remember the name of someone who you recognize
I'm sure I know him, but I can't put a name to the face.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name
under the name of something
using a name that is not your real name
Her poems first appeared in 1749, under the name of "Sylvia."
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of name

See also

Word sets: name

Talking or writing about names

first name/given name a personal name that you are given when you are born. Another British word is Christian name: The children call me Mrs. Jones, but actually my first name is Mary.

last name your family name. The usual British word is surname: Let me spell my last name for you.

middle name the name that comes after your first name but is not often used except to identify you formally. Another British word is second name: My second name is Victoria, after my grandmother.

maiden name a woman's last name before she was married: I still use my maiden name for work purposes.

nickname an invented name that other people call you, especially when you are young: His nickname was Penguin because of the way he walked.

stage name a name that actors use in their professional career that is different from their real name: She thought Joan Smith was too boring, so she decided to use the stage name Maria Vitalez.

nom de plume/pen name/pseudonym a name that writers sometimes use so that their real identity is not known: She wrote all her detective novels under the pen name Barbara Greensmith.

initials the first letters of each of your names: His initials H.I. were carved on the side of the desk.

title an official name that you put in front of your own name that shows your status in society: Officially my title is Doctor Jones, but most people just call me Janet. ♦ When his father dies he will have the title of Duke of Cumberland.

alias a false name that someone, especially a criminal, uses to keep their real identity secret: He went under several aliases, including Bernard Kopf and Harold Gene.

This is the American English definition of name. View British English definition of name.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

charticle

a news article that consists of a chart … and only has a small amount of text

BuzzWord Article

More BuzzWords

BuzzWord archive

Word of the Day

the short high sound that a small bird makes

Word of the Day

Open Dictionary

never event

an event that should never occur in a healthcare setting …

add a word

More submissions

view entries

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog

Did you know?

name

What are red words?

Thesaurus

Related dictionary definitions

phrases

by name

by the name of something

give your name to something

go by the name of something

something has someone's name on it

in all but name

in name only

in the name of

the name of the game

put a name to

put a name to a face

under the name of something

charticle

Word of the Day

tweet

never event