nommé
The English phrase 'named' is translated into French as nommé.
Nommé is used to indicate that someone or something has been given a specific name. It can also mean being 'appointed' to a specific position or office, such as being named a director. While it refers to the act of designation, in casual speech, people often use appelé (called) to achieve a similar meaning.
Which one should you use?
Nommé specifically refers to the act of giving a name, whereas appelé is used more broadly to mean 'called' or 'named' in everyday conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain French-speaking African countries, the verb baptiser may be used to express the idea of naming.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use nommée for feminine singular nouns, nommés for masculine plural nouns and nommées for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- French speakers often use baptiser instead of nommer when giving a name to an object, such as a street or a boat.
- In some French-speaking African countries, baptiser is used as a general synonym for naming people outside of religious rituals.
- The word nommé is closely related to the English word 'nominal', which describes things that exist in name only.
Examples in context
- Tom a un fils nommé John.Tom has a son named John.This sentence shows how to use nommé to identify a person's son.Tatoeba #5724238 by Aiji, translation #5162576 by CK
- Mon ami a un chat nommé Sock.My friend has a cat named Sock.This sentence demonstrates using nommé to identify a pet.Tatoeba #5764641 by Thomz, translation #5762903 by mailohilohi
- J'ai rencontré un juif nommé Mario.I met a Jew named Mario.This sentence illustrates the use of nommé when identifying a person.Tatoeba #11885173 by Rovo, translation #11884384 by shekitten
- Il est nommé directeur du département.He is named the director of the department.
- Ce lieu est dénommé la Place de la Liberté.This place is named Freedom Square.
- On le surnomme "l'as."We nickname him "the ace."
- J'ai donné comme nom à mon chien "Cookie."I gave the name "Cookie" to my dog.
- Ils l'ont baptisé Moussa.They named him Moussa.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are talking about a new coworker.
- HugoTu connais le nouveau collègue nommé Marc ?Do you know the new colleague named Marc?
- ChloéNon, je ne l'ai pas encore vu.No, I haven't seen him yet.
- HugoIl arrive demain pour le projet.He arrives tomorrow for the project.
- ChloéD'accord, je lui dirai bonjour.Okay, I will say hello to him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nommé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
