was formerly named

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was formerly named' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has had a previous name before being given a new name. For example: The city of San Francisco, which was formerly named Yerba Buena, is the most populous city in Northern California.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The dog was formerly named Houdini.

The Guardian

Discovered by William Baffin in 1616, it was formerly named North Devon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It takes its name from the Estonian word for freedom, which is significant as it was formerly named Moskva, after the Russian capital.

The New York Times - Travel

She is also a founder of the Brain Trauma Foundation, which was formerly named for the bride's maternal grandmother, the late Martha (Sunny) von Bülow, who lived in New York.

The New York Times

Over the last year and a half 2 Chainz has evolved from Atlanta bit player — he was formerly named Tity Boi, as part of the duo Playaz Circle — to rising star, thanks especially to the embrace of his peers.

The New York Times - Arts

The volleyball, baseball and track and field teams will also have to forfeit any matches in which ineligible athletes competed over the last three years for the school, which was formerly named Texas A&I.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Figure9b shows the part of course "Basic geometry" at school B which is formerly named "HOLD_1".

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

ROR1/2 were initially discovered in a neuroblastoma cell line in a PCR screen for receptor tyrosine kinases and were formerly named as neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor-related (NTRKR1/2).

Protein & Cell

Esyt genes were formerly named Fam62.

BMC Genomics

This species was formerly often named as the "Congo martin", but this invites confusion with the Congo sand martin or Congo martin, Riparia congica.

Wikipedia

One obvious anomaly in our survey was Ndel1 (formerly named NUDEL), for which mutation of three residues (Ser, Thr and Ser), each with a proline residue at +1 and phosphorylated by the proline-directed kinase CDK5/p35, had been reported to prevent Ndel1 binding to 14-3-3s 14-3-3s 14-3-3sTable 1) [ 70].

Biochemical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was formerly named", ensure that you provide both the previous and current names for clarity, offering context for the change.

Common error

Avoid only mentioning the former name without specifying what the entity is currently called. This can cause confusion and leave the reader without a clear understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was formerly named" serves as a descriptor indicating a past designation that has since been altered. It's a passive construction used to provide historical context by specifying a previous name, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Wiki

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was formerly named" is a useful construction for indicating a past name or designation that has been changed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. It is frequently employed in contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Science, and is suitable for a neutral register. To ensure clarity, it's essential to provide both the old and new names when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "used to be called" or "previously known as" offer similar meanings, but may vary slightly in nuance or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to be called

Focuses on the previous term or name, emphasizing a past identity.

previously known as

Highlights prior recognition under a different name.

originally named

Indicates the initial designation assigned to something.

once bore the name of

More formal, emphasizing a historical naming.

had the former name of

Highlights the contrast between the past and present names.

was at one time named

Emphasizes a past point in time when the name was different.

before the renaming was

Focuses on the act of renaming and its effect.

was redesignated as

Highlights a formal change in designation.

initially identified as

Emphasizes an original identification that has since changed.

carried the name of

Describes the holding of a particular name in the past.

FAQs

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

Use "was formerly named" to indicate a change in the name of something. For example, "Myanmar, "was formerly named" Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia."

What are some alternatives to "was formerly named"?

You can use phrases like "used to be called", "previously known as", or "originally named" as alternatives depending on the context.

Is it necessary to include both the old and new names when using "was formerly named"?

It is best practice to include both names for clarity. This ensures the reader knows exactly what you are referring to and understands the change that has occurred.

What is the difference between "was formerly named" and "was originally named"?

"Was originally named" emphasizes the initial name given, while ""was formerly named"" simply indicates a previous name, without necessarily implying it was the very first.