Name is the word or words used to identify a specific person, place, or thing. Your name sets you apart from everyone else: when someone calls your name across a playground, you know they mean you, not the kid standing next to you.

Names carry meaning and history. Many children are named after family members, connecting them to grandparents or ancestors they may never meet. Some names describe characteristics parents hope their child will have: Grace, Victor, Faith. Other names come from different languages and cultures, each with its own story.

Beyond people, nearly everything important has a name. Cities have names so we know where we're going. Streets have names so mail carriers can find the right house. Scientists name newly discovered species. Companies name their products. Even hurricanes get names so weather forecasters can track them.

The phrase “make a name for yourself” means to become known for your accomplishments. When someone has a “good name,” it means they're respected and trusted. To do something “in someone's name” means to do it as their representative or in their honor.

We also use name as a verb: when you name something, you give it a name. A scientist might name a discovery after the place she found it, or parents might name their daughter after a beloved grandmother.