name

UK: /ˈneɪm/ US: /neɪm/ ,(nām)

Inflections of 'name' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

names

v 3rd person singular

naming

v pres p

named

v past

named

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

name /neɪm/   n., v., named, nam•ing, adj. 
n. [countable]

1. a word or phrase by which a person or thing is identified or known:
   Please state your name and address.
2. an often insulting description:
   He called her names.
3. [usually singular]
   • reputation:
     These bad loans gave him a bad name.
   • a reputation of fame or distinction:
     made a name for herself in politics.

v. 

4. to give a name to;
   call: [~ + object]
   to name a baby.
   [~ + object + object]
   They named their baby Frederick.
5. name (someone or something) after/for (someone or something else), to give a name to (someone or something) in memory of or tribute to someone or something else: [~ + object + after + object]
   They named him after his father.
   [~ + object + object + after + object]
   They named him Frederick after his father.
6. [~ + object]
   • to accuse by name:
     She named the thief.
   • to identify by name:
     Name all the state capitals.
7. to designate or nominate for duty or office:
   [~ + object + (as +) object] They named him (as) campaign manager.
8. to specify;
   say what something should be:
   [~ + object] Name your price.

adj. [before a noun]

9. famous;
   well-known:
   a (big) name author.
10. designed for or bearing a name:
    name tags.

Idioms

11. by name, using the name of someone directly:
    I mentioned you by name.
12. by (the) name (of), having the name of:
    an interesting fellow by the name of David Jones.
13. in name only, having a title or position but not the power or status to go with it:
    a king in name only, powerless to rule.
14. Idioms in the name of:
    • Idioms with appeal to or by authority of:
      Open, in the name of the law.
15. Idioms name names, to specify or accuse people by name:
    The informant began naming names to the police.
16. Idioms to one's name, within one's resources:
    not a penny to his name.

name•a•ble, adj. 
nam•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

name  (nām), n., v., named, nam•ing, adj. 
n. 

1. a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.
2. mere designation, as distinguished from fact:
   He was a king in name only.
3. an appellation, title, or epithet, applied descriptively, in honor, abuse, etc.
4. a reputation of a particular kind given by common opinion:
   to protect one's good name.
5. a distinguished, famous, or great reputation;
   fame:
   to make a name for oneself.
6. a widely known or famous person;
   celebrity:
   She's a name in show business.
7. an unpleasant or derogatory appellation or expression:
   Don't call your brother names! Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.
8. a personal or family name as exercising influence or bringing distinction:
   With that name they can get a loan at any bank in town.
9. a body of persons grouped under one name, as a family or clan.
10. the verbal or other symbolic representation of a thing, event, property, relation, or concept.
11. Religion (cap.) a symbol or vehicle of divinity:
    to take the Name in vain; the power of the Name.
12. by name:
    • Idioms personally;
      individually:
      She was always careful to address every employee by name.
    • Idioms not personally;
      by repute:
      I know him by name only.
13. Idioms call names, to scold or speak abusively of or to a person:
    Better not to call names unless one is larger and considerably stronger than one's adversary.
14. Idioms in the name of:
    • Idioms with appeal to:
      In the name of mercy, stop that screaming!
    • Idioms by the authority of:
      Open, in the name of the law!
    • Idioms on behalf of:
      to purchase something in the name of another.
    • Idioms under the name or possession of:
      money deposited in the name of a son.
    • Idioms under the designation or excuse of:
      murder in the name of justice.
15. Idioms to one's name, in one's possession:
    I haven't a penny to my name.

v.t. 

16. to give a name to:
    to name a baby.
17. to accuse:
    He was named as the thief.
18. to call by an epithet:
    They named her speedy.
19. to identify, specify, or mention by name:
    Three persons were named in the report.
20. to designate for some duty or office;
    nominate or appoint:
    I have named you for the position.
21. to specify;
    suggest:
    Name a price.
22. to give the name of:
    Can you name the capital of Ohio?
23. to speak of.
24. Government, British Terms [Brit.] (in the House of Commons) to cite (a member) for contempt.
25. Idioms name names, to specify people by name, esp. those who have been accomplices in a misdeed:
    The witness in the bribery investigation threatened to name names.

adj. 

26. famous;
    widely known:
    a name author.
27. designed for or carrying a name.
28. giving its name or title to a collection or anthology containing it:
    the name piece.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English nama; cognate with German Name, Gothic namô; akin to Old Norse nafn, Latin nōmen, Greek ónoma, Old Irish ainm, Polish imię, Czech jméno

nam′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. Name, title both refer to the label by which a person is known.
  Name is the simpler and more general word for appellation:
  The name is John.
  A title is an official or honorary term bestowed on a person or the specific designation of a book, article, etc.:
  He now has the title of Doctor.
  Treasure Island is the title of a book.
• 4. repute, character, credit.
• 5. note, distinction, renown, eminence.
• 6. personality.
• 18. nickname, dub, denominate.
• 20. choose.
• 21. mention.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

name / neɪm/ noun

1. a word or term by which a person or thing is commonly and distinctively known
2. mere outward appearance or form as opposed to fact (esp in the phrase in name): he was a ruler in name only
3. a word, title, or phrase descriptive of character, usually abusive or derogatory: to call a person names
4. reputation, esp, if unspecified, good reputation: she's made quite a name for herself
5. a famous person or thing: a name in the advertising world
6. (as modifier): a name product
7. a member of Lloyd's who provides part of the capital of a syndicate and shares in its profits or losses but does not arrange its business
8. in the name of ⇒ for the sake of
9. by the sanction or authority of
10. name of the game ⇒ anything that is essential, significant, or important
11. expected or normal conditions, circumstances, etc: in gambling, losing money's the name of the game
12. to one's name ⇒ belonging to one: I haven't a penny to my name

verb (transitive)

1. to give a name to; call by a name
2. to refer to by name; cite: he named three French poets
3. to determine, fix, or specify: they have named a date for the meeting
4. to appoint to or cite for a particular title, honour, or duty; nominate: she was named Journalist of the Year
5. to ban (an MP) from the House of Commons by mentioning him or her formally by name as being guilty of disorderly conduct
6. name and shame ⇒ to reveal the identity of a person or organization guilty of illegal or unacceptable behaviour in order to embarrass them into not repeating the offence
7. name names ⇒ to cite people, esp in order to blame or accuse them
8. name the day ⇒ to choose the day for one's wedding

Etymology: Old English nama, related to Latin nomen, Greek noma, Old High German namo, German Namen

ˈnamable, ˈnameable adjective