family name
/'fæmili'neim/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The hereditary surname shared by members of a family: A "family name" is the part of a person's full name that indicates their family lineage, typically passed down from one generation to the next. It is used to identify the members of a family as a group, distinguishing them from other families.
Usage
- The "family name" is commonly placed last in the naming order in many Western cultures (e.g., John Smith), but it can be placed first in other cultures (e.g., Kim Jong-un).
- It is used in formal contexts, official documents, and to denote familial relationship.
- Example: "Please write your given name first, followed by your family name on the application form."
Examples
- Noun:
- In her culture, the family name is passed from the father to the children.
- The certificate requires your full family name as it appears on your passport.
- They share the same family name, so they are likely related.
Advanced Usage
- "Maiden name": The original family name of a woman before she marries and may adopt her spouse's family name.
- Her maiden name was Johnson before she married and became Mrs. Carter.
- "Née": Used to indicate a woman's family name at birth, often following her married name.
- Jane Doe, née Smith. (Meaning Jane Doe, born with the family name Smith).
Variants and Related Words
- Surname (n): A synonym for "family name."
- His surname is of Irish origin.
- Last name (n): Commonly used, especially in American English, to mean "family name."
- What is your last name?
- Patronymic (n): A name derived from the name of a father or ancestor, often serving as a family name.
- The Icelandic naming system often uses patronymics.
Synonyms
- Surname: The most direct synonym.
- Last name: Common in everyday speech.
- Cognomen: A more formal or historical term for a family name or nickname.
Related Phrases
- "To carry the family name": To bear the surname of one's family, often implying the continuation of a lineage.
- As the only son, he felt pressure to carry the family name forward.
- "A good family name": Refers to a surname associated with a respectable or prestigious family.
- They come from a good family name known for its philanthropy.
Noun
- the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)