Definition of forenamenext
as in nickname
a name that is placed before one's family name a long string of forenames was given to the latest addition to the royal family

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forename Alan, whose forename appeared in initial reports with its Turkish spelling, Aylan, died with his brother, Galip, 5; their mother, Rihan; and two other refugees when a dinghy carrying 14 migrants toward the Greek island of Kos capsized. — New York Times, 13 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forename
Noun
  • Historical revisionism over the decades since has popularized the Raptors nickname, but purists still consider this Air Jordan 7 colorway to be the Playoffs style.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • María del Carmen Abascal, known by her nickname Maricarmen, is a resident of Madrid’s El Retiro neighborhood who, until last Wednesday, lived in an apartment on Alcalde Sainz de Baranda Street.
    — Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Corona Centennial has nine players in its football program with variations of the same first name.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Portman came from the actress’s maternal grandmother’s maiden name, while Natalie was simply an Americanized version of her Hebrew first name.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 4 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Forename.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forename. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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