Names: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ“›
Add to dictionary

names

 

[neษชmz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

personal

Words or phrases used to identify individuals.

Synonyms

labels, signatures, titles.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
names

Use to refer to the identifying words or phrases by which someone or something is known.

  • 'My name is John
  • ' 'They gave their new pet two names
  • '
titles

Use when referring to the name of a book, movie, or other work, or a term indicating someone's status or position.

  • 'The title of the book is 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
  • ' 'He was given the title of Manager
  • '
labels

Use when referring to a descriptive or identifying tag attached to something, often used to categorize or organize.

  • 'The jar had a label that said 'Strawberry Jam'
  • ' 'She doesn't like being put into a label
  • '
signatures

Use to refer to a person's name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification, often on documents.

  • 'She signed her signature at the bottom of the form
  • ' 'They collected signatures for the petition
  • '

Examples of usage

  • What are your names?
  • Please write down your name on the form.
Context #2 | Noun

general

A word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, or thing is known, addressed, or referred to.

Synonyms

appellations, handles, monikers.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
names

Used in everyday situations to identify people, places, or things. It is the most general and neutral term.

  • What's your name? / We need to come up with a name for our new product
appellations

Used in formal or literary contexts to denote titles or names given to someone or something, often with an air of respect or distinction.

  • The city has earned the appellation 'The Big Apple'
  • / He was proud of his appellations of nobility
monikers

Used informally or colloquially to refer to a person's nickname, often with a quirky or humorous undertone.

  • He earned the moniker 'The Brain' in college
  • / Her moniker in high school was 'Queen Bee'
handles

Used informally or in slang to refer to someone's nickname or internet alias. It can sometimes carry a casual or playful connotation.

  • What's your handle on Instagram? / He goes by the handle 'Speedy' in online games

Examples of usage

  • His name is John.
  • The cat's name is Fluffy.
Context #3 | Verb

action

To give a name to.

Synonyms

call, identify, label.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
names

Duplicated entry; refer to the first entry for 'names'.

label

Used when assigning a descriptive or categorical tag to someone or something, often implying a simplification or stereotype, and sometimes carrying a negative connotation.

  • It's unfair to label all teenagers as irresponsible.
  • The jar was labeled 'sugar' but actually contained salt.
identify

Used in formal contexts or when determining the identity or characteristics of someone or something.

  • He was able to identify the suspect based on the description given.
  • Doctors identify the symptoms before making a diagnosis.
call

Used when you are addressing someone or something by a particular name or term, often informally or in conversation.

  • Everyone calls him Johnny instead of John.
  • She called her cat over for dinner.

Examples of usage

  • I will name my new puppy Max.
  • She named her company after her grandmother.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'name' comes from the Old English word 'nama', which has roots in the Proto-Germanic 'namรด'.
  • In many languages, the word for 'name' is derived from similar sources, showing a common linguistic heritage.
  • Names have been used since ancient civilizations for identification, dating back thousands of years.

Cultural Significance

  • In some cultures, a name can signify family heritage or social status, reflecting one's identity.
  • Many communities have naming ceremonies to celebrate the naming of a child, marking an important cultural ritual.
  • Names can carry meanings; for instance, 'Hannah' means 'grace' in Hebrew, adding deeper significance.

Psychology

  • Research shows that people often form early memories around names, connecting them with emotions and experiences.
  • Names can influence perceptions and biases; for example, having a unique name can lead to assumptions about someoneโ€™s personality.
  • One's name can affect their self-esteem and confidence levels throughout life.

Pop Culture

  • Fictional characters often have names that reflect their personalities, like 'Harry Potter' or 'Alice in Wonderland'.
  • Name trends can change over decades; for example, names like 'Liam' or 'Emma' recently topped popularity charts.
  • Names often influence branding; for instance, unique product names can set a brand apart in a crowded market.

Technology

  • In computer science, naming conventions are crucial as they help in understanding code and functionality.
  • The practice of assigning user 'handles' or usernames on social media has transformed how people identify themselves online.
  • Naming algorithms manage how names are processed in databases, influencing user experience across platforms.

Translations

Translations of the word "names" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น nomes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคพเคฎเฅ‹เค‚

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Namen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ nama-nama

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั–ะผะตะฝะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ imiona

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅๅ‰ (ใชใพใˆ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท noms

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ nombres

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท isimler

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ด๋ฆ„๋“ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุณู…ุงุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ jmรฉna

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ menรก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅๅญ— (mรญngzi)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ imena

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ nรถfn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะตัั–ะผะดะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒฎแƒ”แƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ adlar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ nombres

Word Frequency Rank

At #987 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.