A Given name, First name, Christian name, or forename is a personal name that specifies an differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name (surname). A given name is a name given to a person, as opposed to an inherited one such as a family name. Strictly speaking, the term excludes names acquired by other means — such as changing one's name. This article does not generally assume the strict definition.