Legal Definitions - name

Definition: A word or phrase that identifies a person or thing and distinguishes it from others.

Examples:

• Personal name: The name given to a person at birth, such as John or Sarah.
• Surname: The family name automatically bestowed at birth, acquired by marriage, or adopted by choice, such as Smith or Garcia.
• Trademark name: A nondescriptive name that may be owned and registered as a trademark, such as Nike or Coca-Cola.
• Geographic name: A name that designates a geographic location or area, such as New York or Paris.
• Corporate name: The registered name under which a corporation conducts legal affairs, such as suing, being sued, and paying taxes, such as Apple Inc. or Microsoft Corporation.

The examples illustrate how a name can be used to identify and distinguish a person, place, or thing from others. Personal names and surnames are used to identify individuals, while trademark names are used to distinguish products or services from those of competitors. Geographic names are used to identify specific locations, and corporate names are used to identify legal entities.