had been named

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been named" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something was given a name in the past, often in a context where the naming is relevant to the current discussion. Example: "The new park had been named after the city's founder to honor his contributions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hilu had been named the military chief.

The New Yorker

BSkyB had been named as a bidder.

The Guardian

Months earlier, he had been named the world's best player.

The New York Times - Sports

(Mr. Rizza had been named administrator of the estate).

The New York Times

It had been named for a dimpled cousin called Beryl.

The New York Times - Books

Most, if not all, had been named in other testimonies.

The Guardian

He had been named editor of Commentary at twenty-nine.

The New Yorker

At the federally run school, Ballew's grandmother, who had been named Zada, was renamed Elizabeth.

Harvard University

It would be better if they had been named speculative epidemics.

Yale University

He was introduced as a man who had been named the sexiest politician by People.

The New Yorker

In the spring she had been named to succeed the outgoing artistic director Edward Villella.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical events, using "had been named" can add clarity, especially when discussing changes in titles, roles, or places over time.

Common error

Avoid using "was named" when the naming happened before another event you are describing. "Had been named" clarifies the sequence, preventing ambiguity. For instance, instead of 'He arrived at the office, and he was named manager', say 'He arrived at the office, and he "had been named" manager'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been named" functions as a passive perfect construction. It indicates that an action (naming) was completed at some point in the past and is relevant to a subsequent event or state. Ludwig confirms its validity and frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

16%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been named" is a grammatically sound and very commonly used passive perfect construction, as affirmed by Ludwig. It effectively provides context by indicating a past naming action relevant to a subsequent event. Its usage is prevalent in news, academic writing, and general informational content. While neutrally formal, "had been named" is a versatile phrase for indicating past naming actions, with alternatives such as "was designated" or "was appointed" available for varying the tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received the name

A more literal phrasing emphasizing the act of acquiring a specific name.

was designated

Focuses on the act of designation, implying a more formal assignment of a role or title.

was given the title

Similar to 'was titled' but more explicit about the act of giving.

was appointed

Emphasizes the selection of someone for a specific position or job.

was declared

Implies a formal announcement or proclamation of a name or title.

was titled

Highlights the act of giving a title, particularly to a creative work or a person of nobility.

was elected

Used when someone is chosen for a position through an election process.

was christened

Refers specifically to the naming ceremony, often used in the context of ships or people.

was known as

Focuses on the common or recognized name, not necessarily the official naming.

became known as

Indicates a change in name or title over time.

FAQs

When should I use "had been named" instead of "was named"?

Use "had been named" when you want to emphasize that the naming happened before another action or point in time. "Was named" is appropriate when the naming is the main focus or happened more recently. For example, "The company "had been named" 'Acme Corp' before it went public" indicates the naming occurred prior to the IPO.

What's a more formal alternative to "had been named"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "was designated" or "was appointed", especially when referring to positions or roles. For instance, "He "had been named" chairman" could be replaced with "He "was designated" chairman".

How can I use "had been named" in a sentence?

You can use "had been named" to provide background information or context. For example, "The street, which "had been named" after the city's founder, was recently repaved." Here, "had been named" provides context about the street's history before discussing the repaving.

What are some synonyms for "had been named" in the context of giving a title?

In the context of giving a title, "was titled" or "was given the title" are good synonyms. For example, instead of "The book "had been named" 'The Lost City'", you could say "The book "was titled" 'The Lost City'".