birthnames
Given names initially
Birthnames are the names given to a person at birth, as distinguished from names adopted later—through marriage, religious conversion, legal change, or transgender transition.
The term often appears in discussions of identity: She reconnected with her birthname after decades of using her married name.
Also spelled as two words: birth names.
Personal name from birth
- first namePersonal name, not surname
- forenameGiven name at birth
- middle nameGiven but not primary
- Christian nameGiven name at baptism
baptismal name · personal name · appellation · moniker · designation · christening · denomination · nomenclature
Hereditary portion of identity
- patronymicName from father's name
- matronymicName from mother's name
- maiden nameSurname before marriage
- clan nameFamilial group designation
house name · last name · cognomen · nomen
Study of family descent
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- family treeChart of ancestors
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- descentDownward slope or lineage
pedigree · forebears · ancestors · progenitors · heritage · kinship · clan · tribe
Individual identity, personhood
- individualityUnique personal character
- personhoodStatus as a person
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- self-conceptOne's own identity perception
uniqueness · distinctiveness · character · essence · persona · self-identity · identification · autonomy
Property received from ancestors
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- patrimonyInherited estate or legacy
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- bequestGift left by will
endowment · posterity · descendants · progeny · succession · family history · ancestral heritage
given name
Personal name from birth
- first namePersonal name, not surname
- forenameGiven name at birth
- middle nameGiven but not primary
Christian name · baptismal name · personal name · appellation · moniker · designation · christening · denomination · nomenclature · handle
family name
Hereditary portion of identity
- patronymicName from father's name
- matronymicName from mother's name
- maiden nameSurname before marriage
clan name · house name · last name · cognomen · nomen
genealogy
Study of family descent
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- family treeChart of ancestors
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
descent · pedigree · forebears · ancestors · progenitors · heritage · kinship · clan · tribe · dynasty
selfhood
Individual identity, personhood
- individualityUnique personal character
- personhoodStatus as a person
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
self-concept · uniqueness · distinctiveness · character · essence · persona · self-identity · identification · autonomy · belonging
inheritance
Property received from ancestors
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- patrimonyInherited estate or legacy
- heirloomInherited family treasure
bequest · endowment · posterity · descendants · progeny · succession · family history · ancestral heritage
birthnamesstage names
Performers' professional pseudonyms
pseudonyms · pen names · aliases · noms de plume · screen names