Personalname

Personal name, also called a given name or full name, is the label by which an individual is identified in social and legal contexts. A typical personal name consists of a given name (or forename) and a family name (surname or last name); many cultures also include one or more middle names or additional identifiers. In some traditions, the order and components of names reflect lineage, religion, or social status. In data schemas, the term personalname is sometimes used as a field label.

Naming order varies by culture. In many Western societies, the given name precedes the family name. In East Asian cultures, the family name often comes first. In many Spanish and Portuguese-speaking regions, people may carry two family names derived from both parents, commonly used together in formal contexts.

Names may be legally changed for marriage, adoption, gender transition, or personal preference. Legal constraints and procedures differ by jurisdiction and can affect identity documents, travel, and privacy. People may also use nicknames, stage names, or professional names that differ from their legal name.

Onomastics, the study of names, examines etymology, linguistic patterns, and social meanings of personal names. Names often originate from given names, patronymics, occupations, places, or descriptive features, and may encode information about ethnicity or ancestry. In information systems, handling diacritics, transliteration, and name ordering remains a technical challenge for accuracy and inclusion.