forename

A forename is the portion of a personal name that identifies an individual aside from their family or surname. In many naming traditions, the forename is the given name by which a person is commonly addressed, while the surname denotes family lineage. The term helps distinguish individuals within a family and is typically used in everyday social and official contexts.

The word forename derives from fore or before and name, signaling its position in the full name. In English, forename is commonly used in formal or official settings, whereas given name or first name are more everyday terms. Historically, the term Christian name was used in Christian contexts to refer to a baptismal or personal name.

Naming practices vary widely across cultures. Some cultures use multiple forenames, and others place the family name before the given name. In Iceland, for example, surnames are often patronymic or matronymic rather than inherited family names, influencing how forenames appear in full names. In many East Asian cultures, the family name may come first, so what is called a forename in Western contexts may appear later in the full name. Legal naming rules govern which elements count as forenames in different jurisdictions.

Forenames are often chosen for personal, familial, religious, or cultural reasons and may reflect linguistic heritage or aspirational qualities. Some individuals have middle names—additional forenames inserted between the given name and surname—honoring relatives or carrying ceremonial significance. The use and form of forenames can vary with culture, language, and formality. See also: given name, first name, middle name, surname, family name, patronymic.