name

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noun

ˈnām

: a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing

The boy's name is Brad.

: a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity

: a descriptive often disparaging epithet

called him names

: reputation

gave the town a bad name

: an illustrious record : fame

made a name for himself in golf

: a person or thing with a reputation

one of the most detested names in history

: family, clan

was a disgrace to his name

: appearance as opposed to reality

a friend in name only

: one referred to by a name

praise his holy name

name

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verb

named; naming

transitive verb

: to give a name to : call

: to mention or identify by name

refused to name a suspect

: to accuse by name

: to nominate for office : appoint

: to decide on : choose

name the day of the wedding

: to mention explicitly : specify

unwilling to name a price

namer noun

name

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adjective

: of, relating to, or bearing a name

name tags

: appearing in the name of a literary or theatrical production

: having an established reputation

: featuring celebrities

Phrases

in the name of

: by authority of

open in the name of the law

: for the reason of : using the excuse of

called for reforms in the name of progress

Example Sentences

Noun Please write your name on this line. State your name and occupation. I refused to give them my name. Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens. She registered at the hotel under a false name. My full name is Susan Elaine Smith. We had to memorize the names of all the countries in Africa. “What's your dog's name?” “His name is Sandy.” This is his song “Loving You” from the album of the same name. The ship's name was “Titanic.” Verb “What are you going to name your new dog?” “I think I'll name him Sandy.” The aptly named HMS “Victorious” helped the British Royal Navy win an important victory. A man named James Smith is on the phone. We named our daughter “Mary” in honor of her grandmother. Can you name the person who attacked you? All of the authors named above were influenced by his work. She was named to replace him as the company's vice president. Adjective the university's physics department boasts a number of name physicists See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The name may be a bit confusing, but there's no mixing up whether or not the audio quality is great.

Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2022 There’s freedom in the fact that his name is Sammy Fabelman.

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2022 My name for the team is the Young Americans — after the David Bowie tune — because the squad is the second-youngest (25.2 years) in the field to Ghana (24.7).

Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 23 Nov. 2022 Anderson Lee Aldrich attended Johnson High School as a freshman in 2015, when records indicate his legal name was Nicholas Brink.

Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Nov. 2022 Nemat’s own worries about being on the police's radar were confirmed when her chemistry teacher told her that her name was on a list in the principal’s office.

Wendy Kaur, ELLE, 21 Nov. 2022 But over the past couple years, the performer, whose real name is Breanna Yde, has been launching full-force into musicianship.

Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2022 There’s a new co-host in town, and her name is Dolly Parton.

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2022 Therefore, her tat could hint that the actress's name is now Eva Mendes de Gosling.

Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Nov. 2022

Verb

DeWine can’t name anyone until there is an actual vacancy, writes the Vindicator’s David Skolnick.

Jake Zuckerman, cleveland, 15 Nov. 2022 Each week, the Express-News staff will name athletes competing in boys' and girls' high school sports as finalists.

San Antonio Express News, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Nov. 2022 France can still name an impressive starting 11 without Pogba and Kante.

Robert Kidd, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2022 By retiring, Walters has ensured Brown will name a replacement who is likely to be aligned with Walters’ jurisprudence.

From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2022 The congress will name a Standing Committee, the ruling inner circle of power.

Joe Mcdonald, ajc, 16 Oct. 2022 Oregon State won’t name a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Washington State until later this week as fifth-year junior Chance Nolan remains sidelined.

oregonlive, 10 Oct. 2022 Congratulations to anyone who can name every pitcher the Cubs trotted out to the mound this year.

Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Oct. 2022 Whitmer will likely name McCormack's replacement before the end of the year.

Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 30 Sep. 2022

Adjective

Although pancake mix and syrup are not sold out in most stores, most popular or name brand items are harder to come by.

Dallas News, 26 Apr. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'name.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.