name
gb/nˈeɪm/ us/nˈeɪm/
A1
English
~ 1600
név, cím, elnevez, kinevez, hírnév, hír
NOUN
A1
1
név
A1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s name
Her name is Sarah Johnson.
A neve Sarah Johnson.
Please write your full name at the top of the form.
Kérjük, írja a teljes nevét az űrlap tetejére.
He forgot my name after we met.
Learner examples
My name is Tom.
A nevem Tom.
What is your name?
Mi a neved?
I can’t remember his name.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'name' with 'surname' or 'nickname'. 'Name' can mean the whole identifying word(s), not just the family name.
Meaning
Word by which someone is known
Collocations
full name
|first name
|last name
|middle name
|call by name
Synonyms
designation (More formal term, often used in official contexts.)
Antonyms
anonymity (Refers to the state of having no name known.)
Themes
identity
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
|relationships
Definition
The word people use to call or talk about a person.
A word or set of words by which a person is known, addressed, or referred to.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
the name of [something]
The street name was changed after the war.
Az utca nevét a háború után megváltoztatták.
Do you know the name of this song?
Tudod, mi ennek a dalnak a címe?
That company changed its name last year.
Learner examples
This is the name of my school.
Ez az iskolám neve.
What is the name of this city?
Mi a neve ennek a városnak?
I like the name of that shop.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'name' with 'word' — a 'name' is a special kind of word used for identification.
Meaning
Word for something's title
Collocations
brand name
|street name
|company name
|product name
Synonyms
title (Often used for books, works of art, or positions rather than general objects.)
Themes
identity
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The word people use to talk about a thing, place, or group.
A word or phrase that identifies a thing, place, organization, product, or concept.
VERB
A2
3
Usage pattern:
to name [someone/something] [something]
They decided to name their daughter Emma.
Úgy döntöttek, hogy Emmának nevezik el a lányukat.
The committee will name a new leader next week.
A bizottság jövő héten kinevez egy új vezetőt.
He named his dog after his favorite musician.
Learner examples
We will name the baby Anna.
A babát Annának fogjuk elnevezni.
The teacher named me class leader.
A tanár engem nevezett ki osztályfelelősnek.
I named my cat Snow.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'name' with 'call' in patterns — 'name someone something' is more formal and deliberate than 'call someone something'.
Meaning
Give someone or something a name
Collocations
name after
|name officially
|name correctly
Synonyms
call (Informal; can mean to refer to by a certain word without formal naming.)
Themes
identity
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To choose and say a word for someone or something so people know what to call it.
To give a person, animal, place, object, or idea a specific identifying word or title.
NOUN
B1
4
She made a name for herself as a talented writer.
Tehetséges íróként hírnevet szerzett magának.
The scandal ruined his good name.
A botrány tönkretette a jó hírnevét.
That restaurant has a name for excellent service.
Learner examples
He has a good name in the city.
Jó híre van a városban.
The school has a bad name now.
Az iskolának most rossz híre van.
She made a name in music.
Common mistake:
Learners may take this sense literally and confuse it with the identifying word meaning; here it refers to reputation.
Meaning
Reputation or public standing
Collocations
make a name for oneself
|good name
|bad name
Synonyms
reputation (Direct synonym; reputation refers to public opinion broadly, while 'name' in this sense is more figurative.)
Antonyms
infamy (Refers to being known for something bad.)
Themes
reputation
|society
|core_vocabulary
|communication
|business
Definition
What people think about someone or something when they hear the word for it.
A person's or organization's reputation or status based on how they are known by others.
Grammar
Dictionary form
name
IPA
GB/nˈeɪm/
US/nˈeɪm/
Syllables & stress
name (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (name)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: name
- Plural: names
Verb
- Base: name
- 3rd Person Singular: names
- Present Participle: naming
- Past: named
Word family
Expressions
call someone names
1/kˈɔl sˈʌmwˌʌn nˈeɪmz/
idiom
informal
Insult with mean words
To say unkind words to someone to hurt them.
Examples
- The children were calling him names on the playground.
- She got upset when they called her names.
in the name of [something]
1/ˈɪn ðə nˈeɪm əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
For the sake of something
To do something to support or represent an idea, person, or thing.
Examples
- They fought in the name of freedom.
- In the name of science, we must continue this research.
make a name for oneself
1/mˈeɪk ə nˈeɪm fɚ wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
idiom
Become famous or respected
To become known and respected for doing something well.
Examples
- She made a name for herself in the fashion industry.
- She made a name for herself in the art world.
- He quickly made a name for himself as a skilled lawyer.
- He quickly made a name for himself as a talented chef.