German edit

Etymology edit

From Ruf or rufen +‎ Name.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈʁuːfˌnaːmə/
  • (file)

Noun edit

Rufname m (weak, genitive Rufnamens, plural Rufnamen)

  1. a person’s main given name by which they are usually known (typically, but in German-speaking Europe not necessarily, the first given name)
    Coordinate term: Zweitname
    Meine Vornamen sind Hans Emil Werner, aber mein Rufname ist Emil.
    My given names are Hans Emil Werner, but I am called Emil.
    Geben Sie bitte alle Vornamen an und unterstreichen Sie den Rufnamen!
    Please indicate all your given names and underline that by which you are commonly known.

Usage notes edit

  • Rufname is always one of the official given names, not a nickname.
  • In Germany, the Rufname was defined in birth certificates and official documents until 2015. A person can since choose it from among their given names and can also request to change the official order.

Declension edit