she was named

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'she was named' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a person's name, usually when the speaker is giving information about the person's name or when the speaker is introducing another person. For example: She was named after her grandmother, Sarah.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was named Santi Devi.

The New Yorker

Instead, she was named "Class Scholar".

The New York Times

She was named artistic administrator in 1975.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was named president in 2007.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She was named professor emerita in 1981.

Cornell University

She was named Professor Emerita in 2000.

Columbia University

She was named to Forbes' energy list.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She was named Lyuba, for Khudi's wife.

The New Yorker

Three years later, she was named a dean.

The New York Times

Two years later she was named chairman and CEO.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last week she was named a principal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was named", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what bestowed the name or title, if relevant to the narrative. For example, "She was named team captain by her peers" provides more information than simply, "She was named team captain".

Common error

Ensure that the sentence following "she was named" clarifies what she was named. Avoid vague statements that could leave the reader wondering what title or name was received. For example, instead of saying "She was named in the article", specify "She was named 'Employee of the Month' in the article".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was named" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that a person received a specific name or title. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

24%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was named" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to indicate that a person received a specific name, title, or designation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread usage makes it suitable for various contexts, although it appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide clarity regarding what exactly the person was named and, if relevant, who or what bestowed the name. By considering these factors, you can effectively use "she was named" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

her name was

Directly states the name that was given.

she received the name

Focuses on the act of receiving the name rather than the act of being named.

she was appointed

Emphasizes the formal process of being chosen for a role or position.

she was designated

Highlights the official assignment of a title or role.

she was chosen as

Stresses the selection process involved in receiving the title or designation.

she became known as

Focuses on how she came to be recognized by a particular name or title over time.

she earned the title of

Emphasizes the effort or achievement required to gain the designation.

they called her

A more informal way of indicating what someone was named.

she went by the name of

Highlights the name that she was commonly referred to as.

she was christened

Specifically refers to the act of naming someone during a christening ceremony; has a narrower context.

FAQs

What does "she was named" mean?

The phrase "she was named" indicates that someone was given a specific name, title, or designation. It's a passive construction, meaning the subject (she) received the action (being named) rather than performing it.

How can I use "she was named" in a sentence?

You can use "she was named" to indicate that someone received a name or title. For example: "She was named CEO of the company", or "She was named after her grandmother".

What are some alternatives to "she was named"?

Alternatives include "she was appointed", "her name was", or "she was designated", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how someone got their name?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the context. "She was named by her parents" (passive) emphasizes that she received the name. "Her parents named her" (active) emphasizes the parents' action. Both are correct, but convey slightly different emphasis.