previously named

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously named" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was previously known or referred to by a different name. Example: "The city of Mumbai, previously named Bombay, is a bustling metropolis in India."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was previously named the Gavrilov Foundation, after the Russian businessman Yuri Gavrilov.

The Guardian

Please note: This program was previously named Developing and Managing a Successful Technology and Product Strategy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The jaw in question belonged to a primate that anthropologists had previously named Graecopithecus freybergi.

The Washington Post

They had all been previously named publicly and McLoughlin, Murray and Gavin are dead.

The Guardian

Trump previously named Scott as one of the Republican senators working on replacement legislation.

The Washington Post

Three-quarters of the time, the child previously named as the preferred caregiver did help.

The New York Times

Beard has previously named, if not shamed, Sunday Times columnist AA Gill, who said she was too ugly for TV.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Marin's name has been removed from the exterior of the CBF headquarters, which were previously named after him.

The Guardian - Sport

It goes back to a publication in 1868 by Gunther, who summarily sank three previously named species into A gigas.

The Guardian

Previously named EpiSurveyor, DataDyne's Magpi uses what chief executive and co-founder Joel Selanikio describes as the Gmail model.

The Guardian

The Roos appointment, though, stands in contrast to the heavyweights previously named to represent the United States in Tokyo.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "previously named" when you want to clearly indicate that something had a different name in the past, especially when the change in name is relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "previously named" when referring to something that is currently named something else. The phrase is best used when discussing historical context or changes over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously named" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, that describes a noun by indicating its former name. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, ranging from news articles to scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previously named" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to denote a past name or designation. As Ludwig AI indicates, its purpose is to clarify and provide context, particularly when the name of something has changed over time. The phrase is versatile, appearing across diverse sources, from news and media to scientific and academic texts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a broad audience, and its function is primarily to act as an adjectival modifier, adding essential information about a subject's history. Common alternatives include "formerly known as" and "used to be named".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly known as

Emphasizes a formal change in name or title.

formerly called

Similar to 'formerly known as' but slightly less formal.

used to be named

A more direct and straightforward way to express a past name.

originally named

Highlights the initial name given at the beginning.

earlier known as

Emphasizes a prior name in a chronological sequence.

in the past named

Indicates that at some moment in the past the name was this one.

once named

Highlights that at some past moment in time the name was...

then named

Used to emphasize the name at that moment in time.

was named before

Simply indicates that another name was used.

had been named

Emphasis that some moment in the past another name was present.

FAQs

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

You can use "previously named" to indicate that something used to have a different name. For example, "The Starship, "formerly known as" BFR, is key to the next phase of SpaceX's plans."

What is a synonym for "previously named"?

Synonyms for "previously named" include "formerly known as", "formerly called", or "used to be named".

Is it correct to say "previously named as"?

While "previously named as" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's more concise and common to simply use "previously named". For example, "The diamond, "formerly known as" the "Pink Legacy,"..." is preferable to "previously named as the "Pink Legacy.""

What's the difference between "previously named" and "renamed"?

"Previously named" indicates a past name, while "renamed" specifies the action of changing a name. For instance, "The building was "renamed" after the donor" indicates an active change, while "The building, "previously named" 'Old Main,' now houses the history department" simply states a past name.