selfname

English

Alternative forms

• self-name, self name

Etymology

From self (“own, proper”) +‎ name.

Noun

selfname (plural selfnames)

1. A proper name; a name for one's own self, as opposed to one's family; one's real name. (proper name)
   • 2000, Diane Duane, My Enemy, My Ally:

     "Oh, Elements," she finally managed to say, sitting back against the seat cushion of the pilot's chair, "is that truly your selfname?" "James, actually."

   • 2000, Joan Slonczewski, A Door Into Ocean:

     But first of all came Lystra with her selfname.

2. A name given to oneself; a self-denomination; self-appellation. (self-denomination)
   • 2005, Zygmunt Frajzyngier, Eric Johnston, A Grammar of Mina:

     Mina is the selfname of the language referred to in the literature as Hina or Besleri.

3. An autonym. (autonym)
   • 2009, Nicolas Tranter, The Languages of Japan and Korea:

     In the past, the Ainu (their selfname meaning 'person'), traditionally huntergatherers, occupied not only Hokkaido but also a considerable part of the island of Honshu until the middle the eighteenth century, [...]

Anagrams

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