A given name (also known as a first name or forename) is the part of a personal name that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a family or clan) who have a common surname. The term "given name" refers to a name bestowed at or close to the time of birth, usually by the parents of the newborn. A "Christian name" is the first name which is given at baptism, in Christian custom.