birthname
Name at birth
A birthname is the name given to a person at birth, especially when it differs from a name adopted later.
The term appears most often when someone has changed their name—through marriage, gender transition, religious conversion, or professional rebranding: Her birthname was Susan, but she goes by Zara now.
Also spelled as two words: birth name.
Ritually named, often religiously
- forenameGiven name at birth
- patronymicName from father's name
- matronymicName from mother's name
- neeBorn under surname
Family line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- family treeChart of ancestors
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- pedigreeRecord of descent
heritage · descent · forebears · progenitors · ancestors · roots · kinship · clan
Population movement records
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- recordsStored data or albums
- legal statusOne's position in law
authentication · verification · government records · citizenship · notarization · legitimation
Individual identity, personhood
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- true selfOne's genuine identity
- originStarting point or source
- personal historyAccount of someone's life
self-identification · individuality · essence · recognition · belonging · cultural identity · ethnic identity · self-discovery
christened
Ritually named, often religiously
- forenameGiven name at birth
- patronymicName from father's name
- matronymicName from mother's name
ancestry
Family line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- family treeChart of ancestors
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
pedigree · heritage · descent · forebears · progenitors · ancestors · roots · kinship · clan · patronymic
vital statistics
Population movement records
- registrationFormal recording of participation
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- recordsStored data or albums
legal status · authentication · verification · government records · citizenship · notarization · legitimation
selfhood
Individual identity, personhood
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- true selfOne's genuine identity
- originStarting point or source
personal history · self-identification · individuality · essence · recognition · belonging · cultural identity · ethnic identity · self-discovery · naming ceremony
birthnamechosen name
Self-selected personal identifier
stage name · pen name · pseudonym · alias · assumed name
birthnamefalse name
Invented designation for concealment
cover name · alter ego · incognito · secret identity · alias