big name

US: (big′nām′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

big′ name′, 

1. a person who has a preeminent public reputation in a specified field:
   He's a big name in education.

• 1930–35, American.

big-name  (big′nām′), adj. 

1. having a widespread public reputation as a leader in a specified field;
   famous:
   a big-name doctor; a big-name actress.
2. of, pertaining to, or composed of a big-name person or persons.

• 1925–30, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

big name noun

1. a famous person
2. (as modifier): a big-name performer