What Is It a First Name? - Definition, Meaning & Origins

We all know that our first name is important, but what is it really? And where did it come from?

In this blog post, I will explore the meaning of first name, why we care so much about it, and where it comes from.

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So, what is it a first name?

A first name is a baby’s given name. They are often used in official documents, such as birth certificates and passports.

Many babies get their names from their parents, grandparents, and relatives. Sometimes, they will choose a name that reflects the family history.

There are also plenty of famous people whose first name came from an event in their life. For example, Michael Jackson’s first name comes from his father’s last name.

What does it mean?

First names are usually used to distinguish one person from another. They can also be used to indicate the owner of a company or institution.

When the first name was given?

Our first name has always been important, but its true significance has only become more apparent in modern times.

We all remember our parents and grandparents, who gave us our first name, and how it helped us to form a connection with them.

The earliest records of the word “first name” were recorded in the 11th century when the word “first name” was used to mean “a name given at birth” or “given name.”

In the 19th century, people would write their names on their birth certificates, and this is how they became known to others.

It wasn’t until the 20th century that the first name was officially associated with an individual.

In the early 1900s, baby girls were named after their fathers, and the first name was “adopted” as a nickname. As time went by, parents started to give their children unique names, and these names were chosen solely on their own merits.

In the 1950s, the first name became the most popular choice for baby girls, and the name became the primary way to identify someone.

What are its origins?

The word “first” comes from the Latin word “prima.” In English, this word means “first.”

We are all born with a first name. There are no “first names” in nature. A “first name” is something that we are given. It is the name given to us by someone else, usually the father, at birth.

What is it used for?

In general, our first names are used for several reasons.

First of all, they represent our identities. When we’re born, they’re given to us. Later, we learn to use them as a form of identification, such as when signing into a website or bank account.

A good example is the social security number. Our parents may have assigned us an SSN, but it was a mere formality to help keep track of our accounts. In this way, the SSN becomes a unique identifier that can be used to identify us.

Given name vs first name

What’s the difference between a given name and a first name?

If you are not sure, you are not alone.

While the meaning of a given name varies by culture, it is usually considered to be the part of your name that comes before the first name, such as John, Jane, or Michael.

On the other hand, a first name is often thought to be the part of your name that comes after the last name. For example, if you’re called Amber Smith, then you would be said to have a first name of Amber and a surname of Smith.

While the meaning of a first name also varies, it is usually associated with the character and personality of the person who is named. For example, Matthew is a Bible-quoting, Bible-reading, and Bible-loving man.

Using Ms and Mrs with first name

You may use the term Mr. or Ms. to address a person regardless of their marital status. However, when addressing a single person by their first name, you would use their surname.

You may also see people referred to as by their first name, middle name, or even last name only.

You should decide which one you prefer.

Further reading:

Conclusion

The first name has always been a symbol of the most important person in a family. As we learned before in this post, it was not until the 20th century that the first name began to have an official meaning.

In the past, if a boy or girl’s name was too difficult to pronounce, they would simply be named after their father, mother, grandfather, or grandmother. If the name was not in use, it was usually chosen by the parents.

As the world became more global, this method was no longer practical. The first name became a part of the individual’s identity. Nowadays, it is not uncommon for people to choose their own names.