namePrefix

Name prefix refers to the element of a personal name that signals a title or honorific placed before the bearer’s given name. Common examples include Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms., Dr., Prof., Sir, Dame, Rev., and Hon. In many naming systems the prefix is treated as a separate component from the surname or given name, and is used mainly for formality, courtesy, and addressing the person.

In practice, name prefixes appear in various contexts, such as formal correspondence, official records, and bibliographic metadata. They can influence how a name is displayed, sorted, or saluted, but they do not typically constitute part of the core personal identity itself. Some data formats and software models store the prefix as a distinct field, alongside fields for given name, middle name, and family name, to enable correct formatting and flexible addressing.

Cultural and linguistic variation plays a significant role in prefix usage. Some cultures use prefixes extensively, others use them sparingly, and some titles may function as titles of rank or office rather than generic honorifics. In multilingual data, prefixes may be abbreviated or translated, and individuals may choose to use or drop a prefix in different social settings.

Related concepts include name suffix (titles after the name), given name, and surname. Understanding the distinction between a name prefix and the core name components helps in data handling, address generation, and respectful communication.