Meaning & use
to be named
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
to be given a name
Grammar: Passive form of 'name'. Often followed by a name or 'after someone': 'She was named after her grandmother.'
Patterns
- be named after someone
- be named something
The baby was named after her grandmother.
The street is named after a famous writer.
Their first child was named Emily.
phrasefixed phrase
to be officially chosen or announced for a job or honor
Grammar: Often used in news: 'She was named CEO.' Can be followed by 'as': 'He was named as the new coach.'
Patterns
- be named as something
- be named to something
She was named the new director of the company.
He was named as the winner of the competition.
The actor was named to the list of nominees.
Common combinations
- be named after
- The park is named after a local hero.
- be named as
- She was named as the best employee of the year.
- be named for
- In American English, you can say 'The school is named for a president.'
Synonyms and how they differ
- be called
- More general; 'be called' can refer to a nickname or a temporary name, while 'be named' often suggests an official or formal naming.
- be appointed
- Used only for jobs or positions, not for giving a name to a person or thing.
Word family
- name verb
- To give a name to someone or something; also to state the name of someone.
- naming noun
- The act of giving a name, often in a ceremony.
Commonly confused: to be named or namely?
to be named vs namely
An adverb meaning 'that is to say' or 'specifically'. It is not related to the passive phrase 'to be named'.
Practice
The new bridge was ___ after a local engineer.
Choose one answer.
'Named after' is the correct phrase for giving something a name in honor of someone. 'Called' would need a different structure, and 'known' or 'referred' do not fit with 'after' in this sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “to be named”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.