Forename Vs Surname: When To Use Each One In Writing?

The best way to clarify doubts about the words you want to use is to look at their meanings keenly. But there’s also some spelling confusion, especially words with close pronunciation, like forename and surname. Let’s get to know when to use each word in this forename vs surname post.

“Forename” and “surname” are different. Forename means your first name, which is usually a religious name. Some refer to it as the Christian name. On the other hand, a surname is the last name, which happens to be hereditary. Both words are correct and apply when naming someone.

If you have ever had challenges filling out online or offline forms that indicate the sections for forename and surname, this article will help you. We will keenly look at the meanings of each word and when to use these words in various contexts to avoid confusion.

Definitions Of Forename And Surname

Gone are the days when you could only rely on hard-copy dictionaries to find the meaning of a particular word. Today, you only need to browse your favorite search engine and query the word. The results are abrupt. We have researched various definitions and compiled them below.

What Is The Definition Of A Forename?

The simplest definition of a forename is a name that comes before your surname. Note that it is before and not after. That means if your name is Mike Romano, your forename is Mike.

Another way to quickly recognize a forename is to check the name with a religious attribute. For instance, Christians use Christian names as forenames. A good example is the name “Peter Drury.” From the mentioned name, Peter is a Christian name, hence the forename. Note that it also comes first.

It’s also true that your family chooses the forename for you. In most places, naming individuals is a heredity concern. Some names remain unchanged, but that isn’t the case with forenames. Your family has the freedom to give you any name based on what they believe suits you.

Some synonyms that can help you recognize a forename easily are prename, given name, and first name. The synonyms can stand in place of the word forename. All these synonyms echo what we have discussed in the above paragraphs.

What Is The Definition Of A Surname?

The term surname means a family name. The name belongs to a particular family or clan. A good example is, “The new generation in Donald’s family wants to change their surname because of generational curses.”

You can use the term patronymic to describe the word surname. A patronymic is a name that comes from an ancestral father. It is where many generations share a surname. The patronymic naming system is quite common in many societies.

Do you know that some people might share a surname even when unrelated? You probably know someone you share a surname with. That means we cannot entirely conclude that a particular surname belongs to a specific family.

Note that a surname differs from a forename because it is the last name. That’s another way to avoid confusing the two words. In the name “Joe Trump,” Joe is the forename, and Trump is the surname.

How To Properly Use Forename And Surname In A Sentence

These are among the most straightforward words to use once you know the definitions. However, “forename and surname” continue to confuse many people because of their close pronunciation and usage. Let’s clarify that to avoid further confusion.

How To Use The Word Forename

Forename is a noun, and you should use it at that. A noun is a word or name that identifies someone. A sentence example is, “Your forename sounds the same as mine.” Also, “Michael is one of my favorite surnames.”

Use this word to differentiate family members. That means those who share a surname and belong to a particular family are easy to recognize with a forename. It is because that’s the unique name across the family members. Note that this is not always the case because some people can share all the names coincidentally.

Some people hyphenate the first word, e.g., the name “Mary-Joy.” Since it is one name because of the hyphen, the entire of it is a forename.

How To Use The Word Surname

There are two ways you can use this word. Firstly, as a noun and as a transitive verb. In either instance, make sure that the context is correct to avoid wrong impressions or perceptions.

When used as a noun, a surname represents a person’s name. The second name to be precise. In a sentence, “Your surname Maxwell sounds very old school.”

When embraced in sentences as a transitive verb, use the term to mean “naming someone.” Here’s a good example to help you understand: “Raphael has been surnamed Raph by our team captain.” In this case, it is more of a nickname.

Forename Vs Surname: More On Differences

Beyond the definition, other things set these words apart. Knowing more differences allows you to appreciate the practicality of a particular word beyond its use in sentences. Here are a few more things you need to know about forenames and surnames.

History

Different words have varying histories. However, you will realize that most words have a rich history. For instance, the word forename was first embraced in 1533, meaning it has existed for many years. Surname as a noun was first used in the 14th century. Its first use was back in the 15th century as a transitive verb. Both words have been used in different forms before their current forms.

Popularity

Both surname and forename are popular terms. Whenever someone mentions one word, the other will automatically come up. However, surnames are prominent as the actual individual names because they are family names. That’s why you will realize that most people in your family or clan will refer to you using your surname.

Pronunciation And Syllables

Pronunciation plays a key role in written speech. The simplest pronunciation for forename is /for.naym/, while the preferred pronunciation for the word surname is /sur.naym/. You realize that the difference is in the first syllable of the two words. Note that both terms have two syllables, “sur-name” and fore-name,” making them easy to pronounce.

Examples Of Forename And Surname Use In Sentences

At this point, you must have known how to use the words forename and surname correctly. It’s pretty simple, whether you are using the words as they are or as representative of your actual names. We will look at ten sentence examples to help you recognize the usage of these words in sentences.

Example sentences with the word forename

1. What forename will you give to your first-born son?
2. Many people are now changing their forenames.
3. Mark has always wanted to have two forenames.
4. Moas has the longest forename I have ever seen.
5. Read out the forenames loudly so that nobody misses their name.

Example sentences with the word surname

1. We are proud as a family to share my grandfather’s surname.
2. Surnames have become quite controversial in the recent past.
3. How long does it take to change a surname?
4. You can only inherit properties in some families if you only share the surname.
5. A surname gives someone easy recognition in most communities.

Forename vs Surname: The Verdict

Both surname and forename are valid names in the English language. A simple summary of these words is that a surname is a family or inherited name, while a forename is the first name or Christian name. You can now use these terms without confusion. Make sure you keep practicing.