'forename' originates from Old English, specifically the elements 'fore' + 'name' (from Old English 'foran' / 'nama'), where 'fore' meant 'before' and 'nama' meant 'name'.

'forename' changed from Middle English forms such as 'forname' or 'foreneme' and eventually became the modern English word 'forename'.

Initially, it meant 'a name placed before the family name', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person's first name or given name'.