Name
/neɪm/
Definitions
3 meaningsA word or term used to identify a person, place, thing, or concept.
/neɪm/
A word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, or thing is known or referred to.
Her name is Sarah.
💡 Simply: Your 'name' is the word everyone calls you by! It's how they know who you are. Imagine it's your special nickname for the world.
👶 For kids: A name is what we call people and things. Like, your name is [child's name]!
More Examples
The company's name is 'Innovate Solutions'.
He wrote his name on the paper.
How It's Used
"What is your name?"
"Please print your full name here."
"The hero's name was Arthur."
To give a name to; to identify or designate by a name.
/neɪm/
To give a name to someone or something.
They named their son David.
💡 Simply: To 'name' something is like giving it its official word. Like, you 'name' your pet Spot. It's like giving a gift of a word!
👶 For kids: To name something is to give it a special word to call it by!
More Examples
The author named the character after his grandfather.
Can you name all the planets in our solar system?
How It's Used
"They named their daughter Emily."
"The scientists named the new species after the discoverer."
"The council named the new park in honour of the Queen."
To formally appoint someone to a specific role or office.
/neɪm/
To nominate or appoint someone to a position or office.
The committee named him as their candidate.
💡 Simply: When someone is 'named' for a job, it means they've been chosen and given the important role, like when a team picks their captain.
👶 For kids: To name someone for a job is to pick them to do it!
More Examples
The board named her as the new director.
He was named to the honor society.
How It's Used
"The president named the new Secretary of State."
"She was named CEO of the company."
Synonyms
Designation
Identifier
Call
Designate
Label
Appoint
Choose
Nominate
Idioms & expressions
in the name of
Using the authority or justification of someone or something.
"They took action in the name of justice."
make a name for oneself
To become well-known or respected for one's achievements or abilities.
"She worked hard to make a name for herself in the field of medicine."
by name
Giving the name of someone or something.
"The teacher called out each student by name."
From Old English *nama*, from Proto-Germanic *namō*. Related to other Germanic languages (e.g., German *Name*). The verb form developed later from the noun.
The word 'name' has been used since Old English times, and its function as a means of identification has remained consistent throughout history.