Name at birth
Encyclopedia
The name at birth is the name a child is given by his or her parent
s, according to a generally universal custom
, and legal requirement. What happens subsequently about this name has a substantial cultural component.
Where birth
s are officially registered, a name entered into a birth certificate
may by that fact alone become a legal name
. The assumption in the Western world is often that the name from birth (given name
plus family name
at least), or perhaps from baptism
, persists to adulthood in the normal course of affairs, with some possible changes (such as concerning middle name
s, uses of diminutive
forms, adoption
, choice of surname
if parents divorce
or were not married). Matters are very different in some cultures where a name at birth is only a childhood
name, rather than the default choice for later life.
Birth name is a term now sometimes used for maiden name (name before marriage
of a woman, in cultures where a married woman's name customarily changes), by those who find maiden name to be an old-fashioned usage with the wrong connotations. By extension to men, birth name or now sometimes birthname can mean name at birth, or possibly (and less precisely) the more elusive concept of real name (i.e. name before taking a professional name such as stage name
, pen name
, ring name
, or an assumed name/alias name/nickname
, or some recognised name change
process which de jure alters names).
Parent
A parent is a caretaker of the offspring in their own species. In humans, a parent is of a child . Children can have one or more parents, but they must have two biological parents. Biological parents consist of the male who sired the child and the female who gave birth to the child...
s, according to a generally universal custom
Norm (sociology)
Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a society or group. This sociological and social psychological term has been defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. These rules may be explicit or implicit...
, and legal requirement. What happens subsequently about this name has a substantial cultural component.
Where birth
Birth
Birth is the act or process of bearing or bringing forth offspring. The offspring is brought forth from the mother. The time of human birth is defined as the time at which the fetus comes out of the mother's womb into the world...
s are officially registered, a name entered into a birth certificate
Birth certificate
A birth certificate is a vital record that documents the birth of a child. The term "birth certificate" can refer to either the original document certifying the circumstances of the birth or to a certified copy of or representation of the ensuing registration of that birth...
may by that fact alone become a legal name
Legal name
Legal name is the name that an individual is given at birth and/or recognized by a government or other legal entity, or which appears on a birth certificate , marriage certificate , or other government issued document on which a legal name change is evidenced and...
. The assumption in the Western world is often that the name from birth (given name
Given name
A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...
plus family name
Family name
A family name is a type of surname and part of a person's name indicating the family to which the person belongs. The use of family names is widespread in cultures around the world...
at least), or perhaps from baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
, persists to adulthood in the normal course of affairs, with some possible changes (such as concerning middle name
Middle name
People's names in several cultures include one or more additional names placed between the first given name and the surname. In Canada and the United States all such names are specifically referred to as middle name; in most European countries they would simply be regarded as second, third, etc....
s, uses of diminutive
Diminutive
In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form , is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment...
forms, adoption
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
, choice of surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
if parents divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
or were not married). Matters are very different in some cultures where a name at birth is only a childhood
Childhood
Childhood is the age span ranging from birth to adolescence. In developmental psychology, childhood is divided up into the developmental stages of toddlerhood , early childhood , middle childhood , and adolescence .- Age ranges of childhood :The term childhood is non-specific and can imply a...
name, rather than the default choice for later life.
Birth name is a term now sometimes used for maiden name (name before marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
of a woman, in cultures where a married woman's name customarily changes), by those who find maiden name to be an old-fashioned usage with the wrong connotations. By extension to men, birth name or now sometimes birthname can mean name at birth, or possibly (and less precisely) the more elusive concept of real name (i.e. name before taking a professional name such as stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
, pen name
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
, ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
, or an assumed name/alias name/nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
, or some recognised name change
Name change
Name change generally refers to a legal act allowing a person to adopt a name different than their name at birth, marriage, or adoption. The procedures and ease of a name change depend on the jurisdiction. In general, common law jurisdictions have loose limitations on name changes while civil law...
process which de jure alters names).