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Prepositions with nouns

Of name vs by name

By name is the standard expression for identifying someone or something using a name. Of name is not a normal English combination in this meaning.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

Use by name when you identify a person or thing using a name. Of name is not idiomatic for this meaning in modern English.

I know her by name but we have never met.
The teacher called the students by name.
They mentioned him by name in the report.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
by name

Identifying someone using a name

Use by name to show that a person or thing is identified through a name.

Do you know the author by name?
The manager greeted everyone by name.
2
know someone by name

Recognising a name without personal familiarity

This pattern means you know a person's name but may not know them personally.

I only know her by name.
Many readers know the scientist by name.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
by name
The witness identified the suspect by name.
using a person's or thing's name
of name
This combination is not standard for identification.
generally incorrect in this context
in the name of
The donation was made in the name of the school.
on behalf of or using a particular name

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of name for identification

English uses by name, not of name, when identifying someone.

✕ I know him of name. ✓ I know him by name.

Confusing by name with personally

Knowing someone by name does not mean you know them well.

✓ I know the actor by name, but I have never met him.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She recognised the writer ___ name.
2. I only know him ___ name.
3. The article mentioned the company ___ name.

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Frequently asked questions

Is of name ever correct?

Not for identifying people or things. By name is the normal expression.

What does know someone by name mean?

It means you know the person's name but may not know them personally.

Can I say call someone by name?

Yes. It means to use the person's actual name when speaking to them.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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