Personal names

A personal name consists of a given name or names, any family, group names (such as tribal or clan names), or other surname-like elements used in the culture from which the name comes, and whatever titles and other name qualifiers are associated with the name bearer.

1. Is a personal name a first name?
2. Why are personal names important?
3. What is a person's formal name?
4. Are personal names important in all cultures?

Is a personal name a first name?

given name, also called first name, part of a personal name that distinguishes an individual from other members of a group, clan, or family. It is typically used in conjunction with a surname, or “family name,” which in many cases is inherited and held in common by members of a family.

Why are personal names important?

Our names are an incredibly important part of our identity. They carry deep personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections. They also give us a sense of who we are, the communities in which we belong, and our place in the world.

What is a person's formal name?

A person's personal name is usually their full legal name; however, some people use only part of their full legal name, a title, nickname, pseudonym or other chosen name that is different from their legal name, and reserve their legal name for legal and administrative purposes.

Are personal names important in all cultures?

Anthropologists have not found a single society which does not use personal names in some form; they are a human universal. However, the forms that these names take and the ways in which they are bestowed and used vary between cultures.