Name
| Noun | 1. |  name - a language unit by which a person or thing is known; "his name really is George Washington"; "those are two names for the same thing" |
| 2. | name - by the sanction or authority of; "halt in the name of the law" | |
| 3. | name - a person's reputation; "he wanted to protect his good name" | |
| 4. | name - a well-known or notable person; "they studied all the great names in the history of France"; "she is an important figure in modern music" Synonyms: public figure, figure | |
| 5. | name - family based on male descent; "he had no sons and there was no one to carry on his name" Synonyms: gens | |
| 6. | name - a defamatory or abusive word or phrase; "sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me" Synonyms: epithet | |
| Verb | 1. | name - assign a specified, proper name to; "They named their son David"; "The new school was named after the famous Civil Rights leader" Synonyms: call |
| 2. | name - give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property; "Many senators were named in connection with the scandal"; "The almanac identifies the auspicious months" Synonyms: identify | |
| 3. | name - charge with a function; charge to be; "She was named Head of the Committee"; "She was made president of the club" | |
| 4. | name - create and charge with a task or function; "nominate a committee" | |
| 5. | name - mention and identify by name; "name your accomplices!" | |
| 6. | name - identify as in botany or biology, for example | |
| 7. | name - make reference to; "His name was mentioned in connection with the invention" | |
| 8. | name - give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of; "List the states west of the Mississippi" Synonyms: list | |
| 9. | name - determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis Synonyms: diagnose |
NAME. One or more words used to distinguish a particular individual, as
Socrates, Benjamin Franklin.
2. The Greeks, as is well known, bore only one name, and it was one of
the especial rights of a father to choose the names for his children and to
alter them if he pleased. It was customary to give to the eldest son the
name of the grandfather on his father's side. The day on which children
received their names was the tenth after their birth. The tenth day, called
'denate,' was a festive day, and friends and relatives were invited to take
part in a sacrifice and a repast. If in a court of justice proofs could be
adduced that a father had held the denate, it was sufficient evidence that
be had recognized the child as his own. Smith's Diet. of Greek and Rom.
Antiq. h.v.
3. Among the Romans, the division into races, and the subdivision of
races into families, caused a great multiplicity of names. They had first
the pronomen, which was proper to the person; then the nomen, belonging to
his race; a surname or cognomen, designating the family; and sometimes an
agnomen, which indicated the branch of that family in which the author has
become distinguished. Thus, for example, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus;
Publius is the pronomen; Cornelius, the nomen, designating the name of the
race Cornelia; Scipio, the cognomen, or surname of the family; and
Africanus, the agnomen, which indicated his exploits.
4. Names are divided into Christian names, as, Benjamin, and surnames,
as, Franklin.
5. No man can have more than one Christian name; 1 Ld. Raym. 562; Bac.
Ab. Misnomer, A; though two or more names usually kept separate, as John and
Peter, may undoubtedly be compounded, so as to form, in contemplation of
law, but one. 5 T. R. 195. A letter put between the Christian and surname,
as an abbreviation of a part of the Christian name, as, John B. Peterson, is
no part of either. 4 Watts' R. 329; 5 John. R. 84; 14 Pet. R. 322; 3 Pet. R.
7; 2 Cowen. 463; Co. Litt. 3 a; 1 Ld. Raym. 562;, Vin. Ab. Misnomer, C 6,
pl. 5 and 6: Com. Dig. Indictment, G 1, note u; Willes, R. 654; Bac. Abr.
Misnomer and Addition; 3 Chit. Pr. 164 to 173; 1 Young, R. 602. But see 7
Watts & Serg. 406.
5. In general a corporation must contract and sue and be sued by its
corporate name; 8 John. R. 295; 14 John. R. 238; 19 John. R. 300; 4 Rand. R.
359; yet a slight alteration in stating the name is unimportant, if there be
no possibility of mistaking the identity of the corporation suing. 12 L. R.
444.
6. It sometimes happens that two different sets of partners carry on
business in the same social name, and that one of the partners is a member
of both firms. When there is a confusion in this respect, the partners of
one firm may, in some cases, be made responsible for the debts of another.
Baker v. Charlton, Peake's N. P. Cas. 80; 3 Mart. N. S. 39; 7 East. 210; 2
Bouv. Inst. n. 1477.
7. It is said that in devises if the name be mistaken, if it appear the
testator meant a particular corporation, the devise will be good; a devise
to "the inhabitants of the south parish," may be enjoyed by the inhabitants
of the first parish. 3 Pick. R. 232; 6 S. & R. 11; see also Hob. 33; 6 Co.
65; 2 Cowen, R, 778.
8. As to names which have the same sound, see Bac. Ab. Misnomer, A; 7
Serg & Rawle, 479; Hammond's Analysis of Pleading, 89; 10 East. R. 83; and
article Idem Sonans.
9. As to the effect of using those which have the same derivation, see
2 Roll. Ab. 135; 1 W. C. C. R. 285; 1 Chit. Cr. Law 108. For the effect of
changing one name, see 1 Rop. Leg. 102; 3 M. & S. 453 Com. Dig. G 1, note x.
10. As to the omission or mistake of the name of a legatee, see 1 Rop.
Leg. 132, 147; 1 Supp. to Ves. Jr. 81, 82; 6 Ves. 42; 1 P. Wms. 425; Jacob's
R. 464. As to the effect of mistakes in the names of persons in pleading,
see Steph. Pl. 319. Vide, generally, 13 Vin. Ab. 13; 15 Vin. Ab. 595; Dane's
Ab. Index, h.t.; Roper on Leg. Index, b. t; 8 Com: Dig., 814; 3 Mis. R.
144; 4 McCord, 487; 5 Halst. 230; 3 Mis. R. 227; 1 Pick. 388; Merl. Rep. mot
Nom; and article Misnomer.
11. When a person uses a name in making a contract under seal, he will
not be permitted to say that it is not his name; as, if he sign and seal a
bond "A and B," (being his own and his partner's name,) and he had no
authority from his partner to make such a deed, he cannot deny that his name
is A. & B. 1 Raym. 2; 1 Salk. 214. And if a man describes himself in the
body of a deed by the name of James and signs it John, he cannot, on being
sued by the latter name, plead that his name is James. 3 Taunt. 505; Cro.
Eliz. 897, n. a. Vide 3 P. & D. 271; 11 Ad. & L. 594.