the given name

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the given name" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a person's first name or the name that is assigned to someone at birth. Example: "Please provide the given name of the individual for the registration form."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is theoretically possible that a person under the given name is living in the Netherlands but unregistered.

Crime Science

The given name of another artist was misspelled.

The New York Times

The column also misstated the given name of a guest.

The New York Times

The given name of another participant was misstated.

The New York Times

The column also misspelled the given name of another designer.

The New York Times

The article also misspelled the given name of a predecessor.

The New York Times

And a credit for a front-page picture omitted the given name of the photographer.

The New York Times

An earlier version of this entry misspelled the given name of an architect of the Worldport.

The New York Times

An earlier version of this post misspelled the given name of Laura Nyro as Lauro.

The New York Times

An earlier version of this article misstated the given name of Michigan's governor.

The New York Times

She refused to change her surname but adopted the given name Kim.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When correcting a misspelled name, explicitly state that "the given name" was incorrect for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the given name" interchangeably with "surname" or "family name". "The given name" refers specifically to the first name, while surname indicates the last name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the given name" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to specify or clarify a person's first name, particularly in contexts where precision is important. Ludwig's examples show its use in correcting misspellings or omissions of first names.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the given name" is a noun phrase used to refer to a person's first name. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news, encyclopedic and science contexts. It serves to clarify and specify a person's first name, especially in formal or legal settings. While alternatives like "first name" and "forename" exist, "the given name" provides a level of precision and formality that is often necessary in specific situations. As Ludwig AI highlights, its proper usage ensures clarity and avoids confusion, especially when correcting errors or providing official documentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first name

Replaces "given name" with a more common and straightforward term.

forename

A more formal synonym for "given name".

Christian name

An older, somewhat religious term for "given name".

birth name

Indicates the name assigned at birth, similar to "given name".

personal name

A broader term that encompasses any name used to identify an individual.

baptismal name

Referring specifically to the name given at baptism, a religious ceremony.

name

A very generic short version, so it needs context to make sense.

initial name

Specifies the first name in sequence of other names, like middle names or surnames.

legal first name

Name registered by a legal entity to distinguish from nicknames.

name at birth

Emphasizes the origin of the name.

FAQs

What is another way to say "the given name"?

You can use alternatives such as "first name" or "forename". The choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

When should I use "the given name" instead of "first name"?

"The given name" is more formal and precise. Use it in legal, official, or academic contexts where clarity is crucial. "First name" is suitable for general conversation and less formal writing.

What is the difference between "the given name" and "surname"?

"The given name" refers to a person's first name, while "surname" refers to their last name or family name. For example, in "John Smith", John is "the given name" and Smith is the surname.

How do cultures differ in the order of "the given name" and family name?

In many Western cultures, the given name comes before the family name. However, in some cultures, such as Chinese and Hungarian, the family name precedes "the given name".