Definition of first name

The term "first name" has its origins in the traditional Western naming conventions, where an individual is typically given two distinct names: a given name, also known as a first name, and a family name, also known as a surname. In English-speaking cultures, the first name is the name that is used informally to address and refer to a person, while the family name is used primarily as a surname or last name. The usage of first names varies between cultures, as some prefer to use a single name as a complete identifier, while in others, multiple names are common and include both a given name and a family name. The term "first name" can be traced back to the medieval periods, where people would have multiple given names, with the first name being the most commonly used. As English-speaking cultures moved towards using just one given name, the term "first name" became redundant as it implied that there were additional given names that followed it. Nonetheless, the term "first name" remains popularly used today, both in formal and informal settings, as it helps to differentiate between two different types of names and is a way to avoid confusion when addressing individuals. In summary, the word "first name" is a term that originated from the traditional Western naming conventions and refers to the name used informally to address and refer to an individual, typically the name given at birth that precedes the individual's family name or surname.