name noun [AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G. name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn, Goth. namō, L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr. ὄμονα, Scr. nāman. √267. Cf. Anonymous, Ignominy, Misnomer, Nominal, Noun.]

1. The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.

Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. Gen. ii. 19.

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet. Shak.

2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts.

His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Is. ix. 6.

3. Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction.

What men of name resort to him? Shak.

Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Eph. i. 21.

I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom. 1 Macc. iii. 14.

He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin. Deut. xxii. 19.

The king's army . . . had left no good name behind. Clarendon.

4. Those of a certain name; a race; a family.

The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities. Motley.

5. A person, an individual. [Poetic]

They list with women each degenerate name. Dryden.

Christian name

(a) The name a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname; baptismal name; in western countries, it is also called a first name.

(b) A given name, whether received at baptism or not.

Given name

See under Given.

In name

in profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in name.

In the name of

(a) In behalf of; by the authority of.

“ I charge you in the duke's name to obey me.” Shak.

(b) In the represented or assumed character of.

“I'll to him again in name of Brook.” Shak.

Name plate

a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate.

Pen name

a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom de plume. Bayard Taylor.

Proper name (Gram.)

a name applied to a particular person, place, or thing.

To call names

to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations.

To take a name in vain

to use a name lightly or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths. Ex. xx. 7.

Syn. – Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination; epithet. – Name, Appellation, Title, Denomination. Name is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or letters by which a person or thing is known and distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive term (called also agnomen or cognomen), used by way of marking some individual peculiarity or characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford, Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular bodies what appellation is to individuals; thus, the church of Christ is divided into different denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.

Name (nām) transitive verb [imperfect or past participle Named (nāmd); present participle or verbal noun Naming.] [AS. namian. See Name, noun]

1. To give a distinctive name or appellation to; to entitle; to denominate; to style; to call.

She named the child Ichabod. 1 Sam. iv. 21.

Thus was the building left
Ridiculous, and the work Confusion named. Milton.

2. To mention by name; to utter or publish the name of; to refer to by distinctive title; to mention.

None named thee but to praise. Halleck.

Old Yew, which graspest at the stones
That name the underlying dead. Tennyson.

3. To designate by name or specifically for any purpose; to nominate; to specify; to appoint; as, to name a day for the wedding; to name someone as ambassador.

Whom late you have named for consul. Shak.

4. (House of Commons) To designate (a member) by name, as the Speaker does by way of reprimand.