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. A given name
is purposefully given, usually by a child's parents at or near birth, in
contrast to an inherited one such as a family name. A given name is sometimes
legally changed through a name change.
