What is the Difference Between Forename and Surname?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between a forename and a surname lies in their purpose, usage, and heritability. Here are the key distinctions:
- Forename:
- Also known as a given name or first name.
- Chosen for an individual at birth or baptism.
- Identifies a person and differentiates them from other family members.
- Usually chosen by parents or guardians.
- Commonly used in informal situations, daily interactions, and personalization.
- Surname:
- Also known as a family name, last name, or gentile name.
- Inherited and shared with other members of one's immediate family.
- Used for family identification, legal documentation, and genealogy research.
- Play an important role in identifying individuals within a family or lineage.
- Commonly used in formal situations, social interactions, and legal settings.
In most Western countries, the forename comes before the surname, while in some Asian countries, the forename follows the surname.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Forename and Surname? Comparative Table: Forename vs Surname
Comparative Table: Forename vs Surname
Here is a table that highlights the differences between forename and surname:
| Feature | Forename | Surname |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A forename is a person's given name, which is usually their first name. | A surname is a person's family name, which is typically passed down through generations. |
| Purpose | Forenames are used to identify individuals within a family or group. | Surnames are used to identify a person's family or lineage. |
| Examples | John, Jane, Michael, Emily | Smith, Johnson, Lee, Pérez |
| Storage in Database | Forenames are often stored in a separate column or table, such as first_name or given_name. |
Surnames are often stored in a separate column or table, such as last_name or family_name. |
| Name Order | In most Western cultures, the forename comes before the surname (e.g., John Smith). | In many Asian cultures, the surname comes before the forename (e.g., Smith John). |
Please note that the term "forename" is more commonly used in British English, while "first name" is more commonly used in American English. Similarly, "surname" is more commonly used in British English, while "last name" is more commonly used in American English.
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