forename

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'forename' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a person's first or given name, as opposed to their surname or family name. Example: "Please provide your full name, including your forename and surname, on the application form."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

And yes, the forename of "Mary", once so common that half the class at my convent school bore it, is now a highly unusual moniker among younger generations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Under the empire (after 27 bc), it was regularly adopted by the ruler as a forename and gradually came to apply to his office.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is called simply the name, the baptismal or Christian name, or the forename; in the United States and Canada it is usually called the first name or the given name.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An American who receives a knighthood of some foreign state possesses only an honorary knighthood; he does not prefix his forename with the title "Sir".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Lady" is ordinarily used as a less formal alternative to the full title of a countess, viscountess, or baroness; where the name is territorial, the "of " is dropped thus the Vicountess of A. but Lady A. The daughters of dukes, marquesses, and earls also have, by courtesy, the title of lady prefixed to their forename and surname e.g., Lady Jane Grey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In taking the gender-neutral forename Claude and by shaving her head, as she did often in the late 1910s, Cahun actively and outwardly rejected social constructions of gender and sexual identity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The Royal Marsden provides an email form on the website to send messages to the hospital; Barts shows a standard forename-surname format for emailing anybody in the hospital; UCLH shows GPs how they, but not patients, can access different parts of the hospital by email.

The Guardian

The rest stuck to a straightforward forename-surname combination.

The Guardian - Books

It used to be that cricketers could be recognised by their initials alone, as this was how their forenames would be recorded on the scorecard.

The Economist

The son of a Methodist minister, Byrd was christened Donaldson but also had forenames honouring Toussaint L'Ouverture, who two years after the French Revolution led the slave revolt that liberated Haiti from French rule.

Independent

My real name is Jacob Anderson, but my singer name is Raleigh Ritchie – a compound of the forenames of my two favourite characters from Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, especially in legal or official documents, use "forename" to clearly distinguish it from "surname" or "family name".

Common error

Avoid interchanging "forename" and "surname". Remember, "forename" is the first name, while "surname" is the family name.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "forename" is as a noun. It functions as a label or identifier for a person's first name. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and common term, frequently found in contexts where distinguishing between first and last names is important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academic sources

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "forename" is a noun used to denote a person's first or given name. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly in formal contexts. While synonyms like "first name" and "given name" exist, "forename" offers a more precise and often formal alternative, especially useful in legal or official documents. The analysis reveals that "forename" is frequently used in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Remember to use "forename" to distinguish from the surname, avoiding common errors in formal writing. By understanding these nuances, writers can ensure clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

First name

Commonly used synonym referring to the initial part of a person's full name.

Given name

Emphasizes the name bestowed at birth or christening.

Christian name

Historically significant, particularly in Christian contexts, indicating the name given at baptism.

Baptismal name

Specifically refers to the name received during baptism.

Prename

A more formal and less common synonym for "forename".

Initial name

Highlights the name's position as the first part of a full name.

Personal name

Focuses on the individual association with the name, as opposed to a family name.

Birth name

Refers to the name assigned at birth, which may differ from a later adopted name.

Legal first name

Emphasizes the name as it is legally recognized.

Name given at birth

Explicitly describes the origin of the name as assigned at birth.

FAQs

What is the definition of "forename"?

A "forename" is a name that precedes the surname; it is also known as a first name or given name.

How do I use "forename" in a sentence?

Use "forename" to specifically indicate a person's first name, especially when distinguishing it from their surname. For example, "Please provide your "forename" and surname on this form."

What's the difference between "forename" and "first name"?

"Forename" and "first name" are synonyms and can be used interchangeably, although "forename" is considered more formal, especially in British English.

Are "given name" and "forename" the same?

Yes, "given name" and "forename" have the same meaning, both referring to the name given to a person at birth or christening, distinguishing it from their family name or surname.