# name

/ˈneɪm/ (US) · /nˈeɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/name
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. identification

noun · CEFR A1

the word or words that a person, thing, or place is known by.

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

- Please write your full name at the top of the application form.
- The explorer insisted that the local name for the mountain be preserved on all official maps produced by the expedition.

### 2. reputation

noun · CEFR B2

the opinion that people have about someone or something.

For teachers: a person's or entity's reputation, especially regarding character or professional standing.

- The company has a good name for providing excellent customer service.
- After years of dishonest dealings, the merchant found it impossible to clear his name in the small trading community.

### 3. computing identifier

noun · CEFR B1 · Technical

a unique string of characters used to identify a file or data.

For teachers: a unique string of characters used as an identifier within a system or database.

- You need to choose a unique user name to log into the website.
- The system administrator warned that the domain name must be registered before the website could go live.

### 4. to give a title

verb · CEFR A2

to give a name to a person, animal, or thing.

For teachers: to give a specific name to someone or something; often used in the passive voice.

- They decided to name their new puppy 'Buster' because he was so active.
- The city council voted to name the new bridge after the local poet who had campaigned for its construction.

### 5. to specify or mention

verb · CEFR B1

to say the name of someone or something, or to choose a specific time.

For teachers: to mention or specify someone or something by name; to identify a particular instance or value.

- Can you name the three largest cities in your country?
- The witness was asked to name the individuals she saw leaving the building on the night of the robbery.

### 6. to appoint

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to choose someone for a particular job or position.

For teachers: to designate or appoint someone to a particular role, office, or duty.

- The president will name a new minister for education next week.
- The board of directors is expected to name a successor to the outgoing CEO during the annual general meeting.

## Examples

- My name is Sarah and I am from London.
- Please write your full name at the top of the application form so we can identify your file.
- The explorer gained fame not just for his discoveries, but for the way he insisted on recording the original local name for every mountain he mapped.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.