Title vs. Name — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 29, 2023
A title refers to a descriptive heading or a distinction, whereas a name identifies a person, place, or thing.
Difference Between Title and Name
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A title often serves as a formal distinction or denotes rank, authority, or profession. For example, "Doctor" or "Captain" can signal the position or job of an individual. On the other hand, a name is a specific word or set of words by which a person, place, or thing is identified, such as "John" or "New York."
While a title can signify respect, importance, or the content of a book or article, a name simply functions as an identifier. For instance, "Mrs." is a title indicating marital status, while "Elizabeth" could be the individual's name.
Books, articles, and other written works are often given titles, which provide a glimpse into the content or theme of the work. Names, conversely, are unique labels for entities, like a person's first name or a company's name.
In official documents or events, titles may precede names to afford respect or clarity on the individual's position. For instance, "President Obama" combines both title ("President") and name ("Obama").
While every person, place, or significant object has a name, not every individual or item holds a title. Titles are often earned, designated, or given based on various circumstances or achievements.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A formal distinction or designation
A word identifying a person, place, thing
Examples
Mr., Mrs., Doctor, Captain
John, Paris, Apple Inc.
Usage in Literature
Denotes content or theme of a book/article
Identifies a specific character/entity
Formality
Often denotes rank, profession, or respect
Simple identifier without inherent status
Universality
Not everyone or everything has a title
Every significant entity has a name
Compare with Definitions
Title
A written piece of translated dialogue superimposed at the bottom of the frame during a film; a subtitle.
Name
An identifier for a person, place, or thing.
Her name is Michelle.
Title
The name of a book, movie, or song.
The title of the book caught my attention.
Name
A reputation or status.
He made a name for himself in the industry.
Title
A formal appellation attached to the name of a person as a sign of office, rank, profession, or hereditary privilege.
Name
Identify as in botany or biology, for example
Title
A general or descriptive heading for a section of a written work;
The novel had chapter titles
Name
A word or group of words used to describe or evaluate, often disparagingly
Don't call me names.
Title
The status of being a champion;
He held the title for two years
Name
A distinguished reputation
Made a name for himself as a drummer.
Title
Give a title to
Name
An illustrious or outstanding person
Joined several famous names for a photograph.
Title
A distinction given based on rank or achievement.
The title Sir was bestowed upon him for his services.
Name
A defamatory or abusive word or phrase;
Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me
Title
A name; an appellation; a designation.
Name
To mention, specify, or cite by name
Named the primary colors.
Title
An established position or role.
He took on the title of manager last year.
Name
To specify or fix
We need to name the time for our meeting.
Title
A heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with;
Title 8 provided federal help for schools
Name
A well-known or notable person;
They studied all the great names in the history of France
She is an important figure in modern music
Title
Designate by an identifying term;
They styled their nation `The Confederate States'
Name
Assign a specified, proper name to;
They named their son David
The new school was named after the famous Civil Rights leader
Title
A right or claim to ownership.
She holds the title to the property.
Name
(in the UK) an insurance underwriter belonging to a Lloyd's syndicate.
Title
A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify either generation, an official position, or a professional or academic qualification.
Name
To call by an epithet
Named them all cowards.
Title
The name of a work of art or literary composition etc.;
He looked for books with the word `jazz' in the title
He refused to give titles to his paintings
I can never remember movie titles
Name
To nominate for or appoint to a duty, office, or honor.
Title
An informal right to something;
His claim on her attentions
His title to fame
Name
Family based on male descent;
He had no sons and there was no one to carry on his name
Title
That which constitutes a just cause of exclusive possession; that which is the foundation of ownership of property, real or personal; a right; as, a good title to an estate, or an imperfect title.
Name
Reputation.
Title
The name of a book, composition, or other artistic work
The author and title of the book
Name
Create and charge with a task or function;
Nominate a committee
Title
A name that describes someone's position or job
Leese assumed the title of director general
Name
Mention and identify by name;
Name your accomplices!
Title
An identifying name given to a book, play, film, musical composition, or other work.
Name
To give a name to
Named the child after both grandparents.
Title
(transitive) To assign a title to; to entitle.
Name
Those of a certain name; a race; a family.
Title
The position of being the champion of a major sports competition
Davis won the world title for the first time in 1981
Name
By the sanction or authority of;
Halt in the name of the law
Title
A right or claim to the ownership of property or to a rank or throne
The buyer acquires a good title to the goods
A grocery family had title to the property
Name
Determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis
Title
(in church use) a fixed sphere of work and source of income as a condition for ordination.
Name
Any nounal word or phrase which indicates a particular person, place, class, or thing.
I've never liked the name my parents gave me so I changed it at the age of twenty.
What's your name?
Puddintane. Ask me again and I'll tell you the same.
Puddintane. Ask me again and I'll tell you the same.
Title
Give a name to (a book, composition, or other work)
A report titled The Lost Land
Name
An abusive or insulting epithet.
Stop calling me names!
Title
A general or descriptive heading, as of a book chapter.
Name
A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts.
His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Title
A written work that is published or about to be published
The titles in the publisher's fall catalog.
Name
Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction.
What men of name resort to him?
Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom.
He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin.
The king's army . . . had left no good name behind.
Title
A descriptive name; an epithet
The dubious title of the worst bowler in the league.
Name
To designate (a member) by name, as the Speaker does by way of reprimand.
Title
A form of ownership free of valid claims by other parties.
Name
A language unit by which a person or thing is known;
His name really is George Washington
Those are two names for the same thing
Title
The aggregate evidence that gives rise to a legal right of possession or control.
Name
A person's reputation;
He wanted to protect his good name
Title
Sports & Games A championship
Which boxer won the heavyweight title?.
Name
A name is a term used for identification by an external observer. They can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context.
Title
A source of income or area of work required of a candidate for ordination in the Church of England.
Name
Well-known by a name
A name performer.
Title
A Roman Catholic church in or near Rome having a cardinal for its nominal head.
Name
A person (or legal person).
Title
To give a name or title to.
Name
Make reference to;
His name was mentioned in connection with the invention
Title
An appellation given to a person or family to signify either veneration, official position, social rank, the possession of assets or properties, or a professional or academic qualification. See also :Category:Titles
Name
Give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of;
List the states west of the Mississippi
Title
In canon law, that by which a beneficiary holds a benefice.
Name
A term used for specific things.
The name of that flower is Rose.
Title
A church to which a priest was ordained, and where he was to reside.
Name
A word by which a person is addressed.
Call me by my name.
Title
A division of an act of law
Title II of the USA PATRIOT Act
Name
A word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, addressed, or referred to
My name is John Parsons
Köln is the German name for Cologne
Title
(sports) The recognition given to the winner of a championship in sports.
Name
A famous person
The big race will lure the top names
Title
A long title.
Name
Give a name to
Hundreds of diseases had not yet been isolated or named
She decided to name the child Edward
Title
An inscription put over or upon anything as a name by which it is known.
Name
Specify (a sum, time, or place) as something desired, suggested, or decided on
The club have asked United to name their price for the striker
Title
The inscription in the beginning of a book, usually containing the subject of the work, the author's and publisher's names, the date, etc.
Name
(of a person or product) having a well-known name
Specialized name brands geared to niche markets
Title
The panel for the name, between the bands of the back of a book.
Name
A word or words by which an entity is designated and distinguished from others.
Title
A section or division of a subject, as of a law, a book, specif. (Roman & Canon Laws), a chapter or division of a law book.
Name
Representation or repute, as opposed to reality
A democracy in name, a police state in fact.
Title
An appellation of dignity, distinction, or preëminence (hereditary or acquired), given to persons, as duke marquis, honorable, esquire, etc.
With his former title greet Macbeth.
Name
A reputation
Has a bad name.
Title
A division of a legal code, generally consisting of multiple related statutes.
Name
Authority; behalf.
Halt in the name of the law!
Title
Often titles Written material to be read by viewers that is included in a film or television show, typically presenting credits, narration, or dialogue.
Name
(computing) A unique identifier, generally a string of characters.
Title
A right or claim, or the basis of a right or claim
"The weight of a fish is commonly its only title to fame" (Henry David Thoreau).
Name
An investor in Lloyds of London bearing unlimited liability.
Title
The instrument, such as a deed, that constitutes this evidence.
Name
Any of several types of true yam (Dioscorea) used in Caribbean Spanish cooking.
Title
(property law) Legal right to ownership of a property; a deed or other certificate proving this.
A good title to an estate, or an imperfect title
Name
(ditransitive) To give a name to.
One visitor named Hou Yugang said he was not too concerned about climate change and Baishui’s melting.
Title
The name of a book, film, musical piece, painting, or other work of art.
I know the singer's name, but not the title of the song.
Name
(transitive) To mention, specify.
He named his demands.
You name it!
You have to pot the ball in the pocket you've named.
Title
A publication.
The retailer carries thousands of titles.
Buyers of the new video game console can choose from three bundled titles.
Name
(transitive) To identify as relevant or important
Naming the problem
Title
A section or division of a subject, as of a law or a book.
Name
(transitive) To publicly implicate by name.
The painter was named as an accomplice.
Title
A written title, credit, or caption shown with a film, video, or performance.
The titles scrolled by too quickly to read.
Name
To disclose the name of.
Police are not naming the suspect as he is a minor.
Title
(bookbinding) The panel for the name, between the bands of the back of a book.
Name
(transitive) To designate for a role.
My neighbor was named to the steering committee.
Title
The subject of a writing; a short phrase that summarizes the entire topic.
Name
To initiate a process to temporarily remove a member of parliament who is breaking the rules of conduct.
Title
A short title.
Name
The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.
Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
What's in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet.
Title
A church to which a priest was ordained, and where he was to reside.
Name
Those of a certain name; a race; a family.
The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities.
Title
To call by a title; to name; to entitle.
Hadrian, having quieted the island, took it for honor to be titled on his coin, "The Restorer of Britain."
Name
A person, an individual.
They list with women each degenerate name.
Title
A legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it;
He signed the deed
He kept the title to his car in the glove compartment
Name
To give a distinctive name or appellation to; to entitle; to denominate; to style; to call.
She named the child Ichabod.
Thus was the building leftRidiculous, and the work Confusion named.
Title
An identifying appellation signifying status or function: e.g. Mr. or General;
The professor didn't like his friends to use his formal title
Name
To mention by name; to utter or publish the name of; to refer to by distinctive title; to mention.
None named thee but to praise.
Old Yew, which graspest at the stonesThat name the underlying dead.
Title
An established or recognized right;
A strong legal claim to the property
He had no documents confirming his title to his father's estate
He staked his claim
Name
To designate by name or specifically for any purpose; to nominate; to specify; to appoint; as, to name a day for the wedding; to name someone as ambassador.
Whom late you have named for consul.
Title
(usually plural) written material introduced into a movie or TV show to give credits or represent dialogue or explain an action;
The titles go by faster than I can read
Name
Give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property;
Many senators were named in connection with the scandal
The almanac identifies the auspicious months
Title
An appellation signifying nobility;
`your majesty' is the appropriate title to use in addressing a king
Name
Charge with a function; charge to be;
She was named Head of the Committee
She was made president of the club
Title
A descriptive heading in a document.
The title in the brochure highlighted the main offer.
Name
A brand or trademark.
That's a popular name in fashion.
Common Curiosities
Do all individuals have titles?
No, not everyone has a title. Titles are often based on rank, profession, or achievement.
Can a single person have multiple titles?
Yes, someone might be a "Doctor," "Professor," and "Sir" based on different distinctions.
Are titles always formal?
Mostly, but some titles can be informal or colloquial, like "Boss" or "Chief."
Can names change over time?
Yes, people might change their names legally, and places or businesses might undergo name changes too.
Can a title be a name?
Not typically; a title often precedes a name (e.g., "Doctor Smith"), but they serve different purposes.
What’s the significance of a name?
A name serves as a primary identifier for a person, place, or thing.
Can a title indicate ownership?
Yes, in legal contexts, a "title" can indicate a right or claim to property.
How are titles different in books and for people?
In books, a title describes content or theme; for people, it indicates rank, achievement, or respect.
Are all names unique?
No, many people can share the same name, but the context usually distinguishes them.
Is a brand name also considered a name?
Yes, a brand name identifies a specific brand or product, functioning as a name in a commercial context.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
