naming

naming — verb

1. to give a person, animal, or thing a particular word or phrase that other people

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to give a person, animal, or thing a particular word or phrase that other people will use to identify them or it

Example

Christopher and Ayesha named their daughter Yumi after her Japanese grandmother.

name + object + noun complement (after someone)

The new library was named after a doctor who served the town for forty years.

Common collocations
  • name after
  • name for
  • name ... something
  • newly named
Synonyms
  • call

    less formal — used in everyday speech, while 'name' suggests an official or intentional act

  • christen

    specifically for babies in a religious ceremony, or informally for launching a ship or new object

  • dub

    informal or humorous — often used in news headlines ('The press dubbed him the Iron Man')

Grammar Patterns

name + object + (noun complement)

be named after / for someone

Usage Note

In British English, 'name after' is standard ('She was named after her aunt'). In American English, 'name for' is more common ('She was named for her aunt').

Common Mistakes

They named their son as James.
They named their son James.
The name follows the verb directly without 'as'.
I named my car of my favourite singer.
I named my car after my favourite singer.
Use 'after' (BrE) or 'for' (AmE), not 'of'.

2. to say the name of a person, place, or thing, especially to show that you recogn

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to say the name of a person, place, or thing, especially to show that you recognise them or to provide a piece of information

Example

The witness was asked to name the person she saw near the bank.

passive: be asked to name + object

Rachid can name every mountain in the Himalayas from memory after studying maps for years.

can + name (ability to identify)

Common collocations
  • can / cannot name
  • name names
  • name ... as ...
Synonyms
  • identify

    broader — can mean recognising someone or something even without knowing the name

  • specify

    more formal — used when giving exact names in writing or official contexts

Grammar Patterns

name + object

can/could name + object

Common Mistakes

Can you name me the capital of France?
Can you name the capital of France?
Unlike 'tell', the verb 'name' does not take an indirect object pronoun.

3. to officially choose a person for a particular job, position, or role in an orga

3.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to officially choose a person for a particular job, position, or role in an organisation, team, or event

Example

The board named Nadia as the new head of the hospital's children's research team.

name + person + as + role

Eli was named captain of the school debating team after winning three competitions.

passive: be named + role (without 'as')

Common collocations
  • name ... as ...
  • be named captain / winner / director
  • newly named
Synonyms
  • appoint

    more formal — used for official professional positions, often through a formal process

  • designate

    very formal — often used for titles or roles that will begin at a future date

  • choose

    more general — can be informal or formal, not limited to official positions

Antonyms
  • dismiss

    to officially remove someone from a position

  • fire

    informal — to force someone to leave a job

Grammar Patterns

name + object + (as) + role

be named + role

Usage Note

Common in news and formal announcements. The preposition 'as' is optional when the role follows directly ('named him captain' = 'named him as captain').

Common Mistakes

They named him to the project leader.
They named him project leader.' or 'They named him as project leader.
The role follows the object directly or with 'as', not with 'to'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These verbs all describe giving something an identifying word or phrase, but they differ in formality and context. 'Name' is the most neutral and official — you name a baby, a street, or a company through a deliberate decision. 'Call' is informal and everyday: you call your friend by a nickname or call a dish by its common name. 'Christen' is specific to religious naming ceremonies for babies or the launch of a ship, and it carries a ceremonial tone. 'Dub' is informal and often used in journalism or humour ('The press dubbed him the new king of pop') to suggest a nickname or label imposed by others. 'Label' focuses on classification rather than identity ('The government labelled the group a security threat'). In everyday use, 'name' is the safest choice; 'call' works for casual situations; and 'christen', 'dub', and 'label' are more marked in tone.

name ↗call ↗christendub ↗label ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

The verb 'name' comes from Old English 'namian', which developed from the noun 'nama' (a name). Both go back to the Proto-Germanic word '*namô', which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root '*h₁nómn̥', meaning 'name'. This ancient root is also the source of Latin 'nōmen' (giving English words like 'nominate', 'noun', and 'pronoun') and Greek 'ónoma' (giving 'synonym', 'anonymous', and 'eponym'). The verb has been used in English since before the 12th century.