Personal name
A person's full nomenclature, also known as a
personal name or
full name, refers to a set of names by which an individual may be known, that are or can be recited as a group, with the understanding that they all relate to one person. In some cultures, individuals are known by a single name; in others they may possess a variety of names, some of which are specific to the individual and distinguish that person from other relatives, while others indicate the person's relationship to others, or membership in a family, clan, or other social structure. In western civilization, nearly all individuals possess at least one
given name, together with a
surname, indicating that the person belongs to a family, tribe, or clan. Some western cultures also use patronymics or matronymics. Similar concepts are also used in eastern cultures. However, in less urbanized areas of the world, many people are known by a single name, and are said to be mononymous. Still other cultures lack the concept of specific, fixed names designating people, either individually or collectively; certain isolated tribes, such as the Machiguenga of the Amazon, do not use personal names.