given name at birth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given name at birth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the name that a person was assigned at the time of their birth, often in contexts related to legal documents or personal identification. Example: "On the application form, please provide your given name at birth along with any other names you may have used."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

An obituary on March 18 about the singer Frank Sinatra Jr. misstated his given name at birth.

The New York Times - Arts

An obituary in some editions on Sunday and in some copies on Monday about the actor Charlton Heston misstated his given name at birth.

The New York Times

It also misspelled his given name at birth and referred to him incorrectly in recounting how he was barred from attending high school in Austria because his father was a Jew.

The New York Times

However, he entered the US illegally, despite being asked to attend an interview with authorities, and travelled back to the UK the following day using his own passport – under the name of Paul Harris, his given name at birth.

The Guardian

Nakamoto acknowledged that many of the details in Newsweek's report are correct, including that he once worked for a defense contractor, and that his given name at birth was Satoshi.

Huffington Post

His given name at birth is unclear it was traditional at that time, when becoming a monk, to take on a new name with the same initial as one's birth name.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Was he given the name at birth, and thus obliged to enter a suitable area of study, or did a fascination with 3-D lead him to assume this nom d'image?

The New Yorker

His given name was Norman Alexander Dutton, but his birth names were quickly ignored.

Wikipedia

An article last Sunday about poverty in southern West Virginia misstated the given name of Alma and Randy McNeely's daughter, who gave birth at age 14.

The New York Times

At the time of inclusion, a code based on initial of given name and surname and their date of birth will be assigned to every patient.

BMC Cancer

Ms. Natividad said that Haji's last name at birth was Catton, and that she thought her given name was Cerlette.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "given name at birth" when precision is needed, especially in legal or formal contexts where distinguishing it from adopted or changed names is important. If you're just referring to a person's birth name, consider using the more concise "birth name".

Common error

Avoid using "given name at birth" interchangeably with 'legal name' without context. The legal name may change after adoption or a formal name change, whereas "given name at birth" specifically refers to the name recorded at the time of birth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given name at birth" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a person's initial name as recorded at the time of their birth. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in obituaries, legal contexts, and discussions of personal identity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "given name at birth" is a noun phrase that clearly and precisely identifies the name assigned to an individual at the time of their birth. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in formal contexts like news articles, legal documents, and biographical discussions. While alternatives like "birth name" or "original name" exist, "given name at birth" is preferred when specificity is key. It's important to avoid confusing it with 'legal name', which can change over time. The phrase appears most commonly in News & Media, Wiki and Science, and is generally used in a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

birth name

This is a more concise and commonly used alternative, directly referring to the name assigned at birth.

name at birth

A slightly shorter version, omitting "given" but retaining the core meaning.

original name

Focuses on the name's status as the first or initial name given.

name assigned at birth

Emphasizes the act of assigning the name at the time of birth.

name given at time of birth

Specifies the timing of the name assignment.

first name at birth

Emphasizes the 'first' name given when the child was born.

legal name at birth

Implies legal documentation or registration of the name.

name by which one was born

A more formal and descriptive alternative.

name of record at birth

Highlights the official recording of the name.

maiden name

Specifically refers to a woman's surname at birth, before marriage.

FAQs

What is another way to say "given name at birth"?

You can use alternatives such as "birth name", "original name", or simply "name at birth".

Is "given name at birth" the same as legal name?

No, the "given name at birth" refers to the name recorded at the time of birth. A legal name may change later through adoption or a formal name change.

When should I use "given name at birth" instead of "birth name"?

Use "given name at birth" when you need to be precise and explicitly refer to the name assigned at the time of birth, particularly in legal or formal situations. "Birth name" is generally acceptable in other contexts.

How is "given name at birth" different from a nickname?

The "given name at birth" is the official name recorded at birth, while a nickname is an informal, familiar name used in place of the official name. The first is formal and official, the latter is informal and unofficial.