be named

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be named" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone has been officially given a title or name. For example: The school's new principal will be named tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A successor has yet to be named.

The New York Times

A successor is to be named later.

The New York Times

The little girl will be named Alice.

The New York Times

(She has asked not to be named).

The New Yorker

Barack Obama could be named as reasons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For legal reason he cannot be named.

Independent

(He didn't want to be named).

The New Yorker

He did not want to be named.

Independent

The report will be named Texas.

The New York Times

The franchise will be named the 87ers.

The New York Times - Sports

Will his successor be named?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be named" to emphasize the result of the naming process rather than the actor performing the naming action.

Common error

Avoid using "be named by" when the actor is obvious or unimportant. Simply use "be named" to maintain conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be named" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of naming. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this usage. Examples show it frequently used to describe appointments, designations, and formal identifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be named" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that a subject has received a name or title. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely applicable. The phrase is most common in contexts such as news and media, science, and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "be named", clarity and conciseness are key, and alternatives such as "be designated" or "be appointed" can be considered to convey specific nuances. The phrase is very versatile in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be designated

Replaces "named" with "designated", implying a formal assignment or appointment.

be appointed

Substitutes "named" with "appointed", suggesting a selection for a specific role or position.

be identified

Uses "identified" instead of "named", focusing on recognition or ascertainment.

be chosen

Employs "chosen" in place of "named", indicating a selection from multiple options.

be selected

Replaces "named" with "selected", highlighting a deliberate pick or choice.

be referred to as

Uses a longer phrase to mean the same, but more formal.

be known as

Indicates the common appellation or title, a bit more generic.

go by the name of

Similar meaning, but implies an informal or chosen name.

be styled

More formal and less frequent in general use.

be labeled

Indicates being assigned a term, but can be more specific to contexts as items and objects.

FAQs

How can I use "be named" in a sentence?

You can use "be named" to indicate that someone or something has been given a specific name or title. For example, "The new hospital will "be named" after the city's founder".

What are some alternatives to "be named"?

Alternatives include "be designated", "be appointed", or "be identified", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "will be named as"?

While grammatically acceptable, "will "be named"" is usually sufficient and more concise. The "as" is often redundant.

What's the difference between "be named" and "be called"?

"Be "be named"" typically implies a formal designation, whereas "be called" can refer to either a formal or informal appellation. For example, a ship might "be named" officially, but informally, it might "be called" a nickname.