1 name
Pronounced:
/ˈneɪm/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural namesMeaning:
[count] 1 : a word or phrase that refers to or that can refer to a specific person ▪ “What's his (first) name?” “His name is Jacob.” ▪ I took my husband's (last) name when we got married. ▪ Please write/sign your name on this line. ▪ State your name and occupation. ▪ I refused to give/tell them my name. ▪ She has one of the most famous names [=she is one of the most famous people] in show business. ▪ Can you give me the name of a good dentist? [=do you know a good dentist that I could use?] ▪ Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens. ▪ She registered at the hotel under/using a false/assumed name. ▪ Samuel Clemens wrote under the name (of) Mark Twain. ▪ My full name is Susan Elaine Smith. ▪ Her name is Susan, but she goes by the name (of) Sue. [=people call her Sue] ▪ Do you know a man by the name of [=do you know a man named] James Smith? ▪ She now owns several restaurants that bear her name. [=that are named after her] ▪ Can I put your name down for a donation? [=can I write down your name on the list of people who are giving a donation?; would you like to make a donation?] —see also christian name, family name, first name, forename, given name, last name, maiden name, married name, middle name, nickname, pen name, pet name, stage name, surname
2 a : a word or phrase that refers to a specific place or thing ▪ We had to memorize the names of all the countries in Africa. ▪ “What's your dog's name?” “His name is Sandy.” ▪ What was the name [=title] of that movie we saw last night? ▪ This is his song “Loving You” from the album of the same name. ▪ The ship's name was “Titanic.” ▪ The band takes/gets its name from [=it is named after] its hometown. ▪ The company gives/lends its name to one of the biggest golf tournaments in the country. [=the golf tournament is named after the company] b : a word or phrase that refers to a type or group of things ▪ Psychologists have a name for this kind of behavior. ▪ Is there a name for the part of the leg behind the knee? ▪ The cougar is also known by the names “puma” and “mountain lion.” ▪ The plant's botanical/scientific name is Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, but we know it by its common name “daisy.” ▪ True to their name, killer bees have been known to kill people. = As their name implies/suggests, killer bees really do kill. = Killer bees really live up to their name. = Killer bees are known to kill people, hence the name. —see also brand name, code name, place name, proper name, trade name
3 : the general opinion that most people have about someone or something ▪ A few dishonest players have given the sport a bad name. [=they have made people think badly about the sport] ▪ I won't let you ruin our family's good name. [=good reputation] ▪ He's still trying to clear his name. [=to prove that he is not guilty of a crime]
4 : a famous person or thing ▪ He's one of the biggest names in music. ▪ Our agency has represented some of the most famous names in the business. ▪ The following year, she took the role that would make her a household name. [=a very well-known person] —see also big name, name-dropping, no-name
5 : a word or phrase that is used to describe and insult someone ▪ a bad/dirty name —usually plural ▪ Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me! ▪ “You're such a stupid jerk!” “Hey, don't call me names!” ▪ A bully at school was calling her names. —see also name-calling
2 a : a word or phrase that refers to a specific place or thing ▪ We had to memorize the names of all the countries in Africa. ▪ “What's your dog's name?” “His name is Sandy.” ▪ What was the name [=title] of that movie we saw last night? ▪ This is his song “Loving You” from the album of the same name. ▪ The ship's name was “Titanic.” ▪ The band takes/gets its name from [=it is named after] its hometown. ▪ The company gives/lends its name to one of the biggest golf tournaments in the country. [=the golf tournament is named after the company] b : a word or phrase that refers to a type or group of things ▪ Psychologists have a name for this kind of behavior. ▪ Is there a name for the part of the leg behind the knee? ▪ The cougar is also known by the names “puma” and “mountain lion.” ▪ The plant's botanical/scientific name is Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, but we know it by its common name “daisy.” ▪ True to their name, killer bees have been known to kill people. = As their name implies/suggests, killer bees really do kill. = Killer bees really live up to their name. = Killer bees are known to kill people, hence the name. —see also brand name, code name, place name, proper name, trade name
3 : the general opinion that most people have about someone or something ▪ A few dishonest players have given the sport a bad name. [=they have made people think badly about the sport] ▪ I won't let you ruin our family's good name. [=good reputation] ▪ He's still trying to clear his name. [=to prove that he is not guilty of a crime]
4 : a famous person or thing ▪ He's one of the biggest names in music. ▪ Our agency has represented some of the most famous names in the business. ▪ The following year, she took the role that would make her a household name. [=a very well-known person] —see also big name, name-dropping, no-name
5 : a word or phrase that is used to describe and insult someone ▪ a bad/dirty name —usually plural ▪ Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me! ▪ “You're such a stupid jerk!” “Hey, don't call me names!” ▪ A bully at school was calling her names. —see also name-calling
by name
: using a name : by saying the name of someone or something ▪ He never mentioned her by name [=he never said her name], but we all knew who he was talking about. ▪ The victim was able to identify his attacker by name. [=he knew the name of the person who attacked him] ▪ We've had people come in to the store and ask for it by name.
drag someone's name through the mud —see 1drag
in all/everything but name
: not in an official way but in every other way ▪ Military governors ruled the country in all but name for many years. ▪ Their marriage was over in all but name five years ago.
in name only also in name
—used to describe a person or thing that does not have the qualities that its name suggests ▪ For many years, the Emperor was the ruler in name only. = The Emperor ruled in name but not in fact. ▪ She's my boss in name only. We're really more like partners. ▪ a friend in name only
in someone's/something's name or in the name of someone/something
1 a —used to say that something officially or legally belongs to a specified person ▪ We both own the house, but the car is in my name. ▪ The business is registered in her husband's name for tax purposes. b —used to say that something has or uses the name of a specified person ▪ Our reservation at the restaurant is in my name.
2 —used to say that something is done with the authority of a specified person or thing ▪ The leader refused to allow such violent acts to be done in his name. ▪ Stop in the name of the law!
3 —used to say that something is given as the official reason for doing something ▪ These laws were passed in the name of national security. ▪ They're tearing down historic buildings in the name of progress!
2 —used to say that something is done with the authority of a specified person or thing ▪ The leader refused to allow such violent acts to be done in his name. ▪ Stop in the name of the law!
3 —used to say that something is given as the official reason for doing something ▪ These laws were passed in the name of national security. ▪ They're tearing down historic buildings in the name of progress!
know (someone) by name
1 : to know a person well enough to know the person's name ▪ She knows all of her customers by name. ▪ I took her to a restaurant where the owner knows me by name. ▪ The police know him by name.
2 : to know a person's name only ▪ He said he only knew her by name and didn't know much more about her.
2 : to know a person's name only ▪ He said he only knew her by name and didn't know much more about her.
make your name or make a name for yourself
: to become well-known or famous ▪ She made her name in politics as a powerful public speaker. ▪ He has made quite a name for himself as a golfer. ▪ She is making a name for herself in the art world.
put a name to (someone or something)
: to think of and say the name of (someone or something) ▪ Can you put a name to the face in this photograph? ▪ I couldn't put a name to the emotion I was feeling.
take someone's name in vain —see vain
the name of the game
informal : the basic goal or purpose of an activity ▪ When all is said and done, in business, profit is the name of the game. ▪ The name of the game was winning by any means necessary.
to your name
: belonging to you ▪ I haven't a dollar/dime/penny to my name. [=I have no money] ▪ She has more than 20 novels to her name. [=she has written more than 20 novels] ▪ a band with three hit songs to their name
under someone's/something's name or under the name (of) someone/something
1 —used to say that something officially or legally belongs to a specified person ▪ We both own the house, but the car is under my name. ▪ The business is registered under her husband's name for tax purposes.
2 —used to say that something has or uses the name of a specified person ▪ We have dinner reservations under the name of Jones.
2 —used to say that something has or uses the name of a specified person ▪ We have dinner reservations under the name of Jones.
with someone's name on it
informal : intended for someone ▪ There's a piece of cake over there with your name on it. [=you should go get that piece of cake] ▪ He told me he had a bullet with my name on it. [=he was going to shoot me]
your name is mud —see mud