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to name

to name

456 2.8
To officially choose someone for a job or position
  • verb
  • /neɪm/
  • Formal
translation icon : nombrar
  • One grateful client even named a son Lionel after Barrett successfully defended the man against murder charges.
  • named chairman
  • named successor
  • named president

Next thing you know, George is named deputy CIA director.

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Examples

  • In 2002, Duncan Hunter was named chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

    Academic text (2011)
  • She was finally named the school's valedictorian after years of hard work.

  • I would love to name him, but naming can be so tragic.

    Academic text (2011)
  • He's been named acting president.

  • And so they, yeah, they named the RFK Stadium after my dad.

  • Soon after, the president-elect named his long-time friend to head Mexico City's police force.

    Academic text (1990)
  • In late 1986, Lawrence Walsh was named to investigate charges stemming from the Iran-Contra affair.

    Academic text (1990)
  • His illegitimate fourteen-year-old son Sinibaldo was named heir and successor, with Lucrezia as regent.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The company named her as the new project manager for their team.

  • After much consideration, they decided to name him the head coach for next season.

Synonyms

to make
vsto name
1.0

To cause something to happen or be in a certain state

is specifically about formally giving someone a job, not general causing
to appoint
vsto name
  • Formal
580 3.2

Officially choose someone for a job or role

is the general formal act of giving someone a position
to assign
vsto name
487 2.7

Give someone a specific task, duty, or position of responsibility

focuses on officially giving a person a job or office rather than tasks
to nominate
vsto name
461 3.4

To officially suggest someone for a job or honor

is the definite act of officially giving someone the role rather than suggesting
to designate
vsto name
  • Formal
124 5.0

To officially choose someone for a job or role

is the standard formal way to give someone a role
to install
vsto name
  • Formal
69 3.9

To put someone into an official job at a ceremony

is the broader act of officially giving someone a post without ceremony
to anoint
vsto name
  • Formal
27 7.2

To officially choose someone for a job, often as a sign that they have power

is the neutral formal appointment without religious or divine implication
to instate
vsto name
  • Formal
1 6.6

To officially put someone into a position or office

usually refers broadly to officially placing someone into a job
to ordinate
vsto name
  • Formal
9.9

To make someone a priest or church leader

is general and covers any job, not only religious offices

Antonyms

1.5

To move something or someone away from a place

70 3.3

To remove someone from their job

Idioms

195 3.7

With someone's permission or official authority to act for them

To become known for what you do by working hard

11 6.0

The most important thing in a situation or activity

9 6.1

A title with no real power or duties

you name it
  • Informal
7 7.2

Anything you can think of is included

5 6.5

Having a title but not the real power or responsibilities

To be for a certain person, often you

name is mud
  • Archaic
2 9.9

People think badly of someone because they did something wrong

To show clearly that something is typical of a person or made by them

in heaven's name
  • Informal
1 7.3

People say it to show surprise, anger, or a strong need for an answer

in God's name
  • Informal
1 7.9

Words people say to show strong surprise, anger or urgency in a question

To say you want to be chosen for a job or position

People are friendly and call each other by their first names

People say this jokingly about someone who often does dangerous things

8.6

To call someone many rude names

her name is mud
  • Informal
9.9

Someone people blame or dislike after they do something others do not like

7.3

A very strong personal quality that shows what someone is like

Phrasal Verbs

14 7.7

Say who specific people are, often when someone accuses them or during a scandal

to name and shame
  • Literature
1 6.3

Publicly say which people or groups did something wrong so others will say bad things about them

Ask someone if a name is okay before you decide

To ask a person in charge to consider your name for a role

Compounds

300 1.0

A name people in the same family share, usually after the first name

178 1.0

A name given at birth used before the family name

62 1.8

A name that comes between a person's first name and last name

45 3.1

A woman's last name before she marries

43 3.5

A famous and important person or group in one area

41 1.6

A small badge that shows a person's name to identify them

name-calling
  • Offensive
38 4.9

Using rude words to insult someone

34 1.0

The name a person shares with other family members, not the given name

33 1.6

A name a company gives to a product or service to show it is different from others

Information that shows who someone is and where they receive mail

domain name
  • Texting
26 3.3

A unique address made of letters and numbers separated by dots that people type to visit a website

19 3.6

A different name used publicly by an actor or musician

13 2.0

The name a person has before their family name

pet name
  • Informal
11 2.1

A special short name people use for someone they care about

10 3.5

A name an author uses instead of their real name when publishing

9 3.9

A made-up name someone uses to hide who they are

A person's first name given at birth or baptism

6 6.3

A name someone uses instead of their real name to hide who they are

4 1.4

The official name a business registers with the government

4 1.0

The official word used to find a road and write addresses

4 2.7

Name used to tell which computer file it is, often showing its type

proper name
  • Specialized
4 4.9

A name for a specific person, place, or thing that we write with a capital letter

4 2.3

A name for a town, area, or land feature

4 8.8

A slang word for an illegal drug

The name shown on a book or article that tells who wrote it

brand-name drug
  • Specialized
3 4.2

A medicine sold under a company's name that only that company sells

Mentioning famous people to try to impress others

street name
  • Slang
3 8.2

A name a person uses instead of their real one, often in city groups

name calling
  • Offensive
2 4.9

Using insulting words to hurt or shame someone instead of discussing the problem

2 7.5

A day when people celebrate someone who has a saint's name

2 2.9

A name a company gives to a product or service to sell it

assumed name
  • Formal
1 6.9

A name a business uses that is different from its legal name

name dropper
  • Offensive
1 8.1

A person who mentions famous people to seem important

The name of the person who wrote it

1 7.8

A name a business uses that is not its legal registered name

A famous director who makes films, TV shows, or plays

A name given to someone in a Christian church ceremony when they are a baby

file name extension
  • Specialized
3.5

A few letters or numbers after a file name that show the file type

name part
  • Jargon
8.3

The role of the character whose name is in the title

4.0

A name for a part of something larger

A name used temporarily for a person or thing when the real name is unknown

slave name
  • NSFW
9.9

A name someone uses when they play a submissive part in adult role-play

street name
  • Specialized
9.5

A way of holding shares where a broker is listed instead of the owner

whole name
  • Specialized
9.0

The name of the whole thing that parts belong to, like 'tree' for branches

How Official

to inaugurate
  • Formal
32 6.3
to install
  • Formal
69 3.9
to appoint
  • Formal
580 3.2
to name
  • Formal
456 2.8
to nominate
461 3.4

Surface Forms

name infinitive
named past
named past participle
naming present participle
names third person singular

Etymology

Name meaning 'to appoint' comes from the idea of 'calling someone by name' for a role; it is like officially choosing and saying their name. That's why a board can 'name' a new CEO.