# name (1-name.net)

A name is what you call someone or something. People use names to identify a person, a pet, a place, or an idea. It is the word you say to get the right thing's attention.

## What a model may hear
- variable name (programming and scripting): treat the word as an identifier to look up, assign, or pass as a parameter
- DNS name or domain name (networking and web systems): resolve it to an IP address, check registration, or build a URL
- class or type name (object-oriented code): look for a defined structure, method, or constructor with that label
- file name (operating systems and storage): locate a file on disk, check extensions, or apply path rules
- database column name (data and queries): map it to a field for selection, filtering, or joining

## Where people and models part ways
- Says: "What is the name of that company?"
  Means: Tell me the common name people use.
  May be taken as: Search a registry, API, or database for a registered formal name and return metadata instead.
  Say instead: "What do people commonly call that company?"
- Says: "Name five fruits."
  Means: List five examples of fruits.
  May be taken as: Interpret 'name' as a command to label or define a data structure, or expect a technical enumeration.
  Say instead: "List five fruits."
- Says: "My name is Sam."
  Means: Introduce myself as Sam.
  May be taken as: Store 'Sam' as a session variable, user record, or authentication token without confirmation.
  Say instead: "You can call me Sam."

## Tips
- Avoid saying 'name it' when you mean 'call it' or 'label it' in a non-technical context.
- If you want a list, say 'list' or 'give examples' instead of 'name'.
- Specify 'file name', 'variable name', or 'person's name' to prevent the model from guessing the domain.
- When introducing yourself, add context like 'in conversation' if you do not want a system record created.
- If asking about a company or product, say 'common name' or 'brand name' to avoid registry lookups.

## Often confused with
- title: A title is a formal label or heading, not a personal identifier.
- label: A label is an attached tag or marker, often for sorting or display.
- ID: An ID is a system-assigned code, not a human-chosen word.
- handle: A handle is a self-chosen online alias, often with technical account ties.
- key: A key is a unique lookup value in databases or cryptography, not a spoken name.
- address: An address is a location or network endpoint, not an identifying word.