What is the Difference Between First Name and Last Name?

The difference between a first name and a last name lies in their definitions, positions, origins, and cultural aspects. Here are the key differences:

• Definition: A first name is the given name to an individual at birth or during infancy. A last name, also known as a family name or surname, is a hereditary name shared by members of a family or lineage.
• Position: The first name comes before the last name in most Western cultures. However, in some Asian cultures like Chinese and Japanese, the first name may appear after the last name.
• Origin: The first name can be given according to the parents' choice. The last name remains the same as it is of the family.
• Cultural Aspects: In Western culture, the first name appears before the last name. In Chinese, Japanese, and Asian cultures, the first name may appear after the last name.

In summary, a first name is an individual's given or personal name used for personal identification, daily interactions, and personalization. On the other hand, a last name is a hereditary name shared by family members, used for family identification, legal documentation, and genealogy research.

Comparative Table: First Name vs Last Name

The difference between a first name and a last name can be understood through their definitions and purposes in a name:

In a database, the first name and last name can be stored separately or combined into a single attribute. Whether to store them separately or together depends on the specific requirements and use cases of the database. If the business or application needs to perform analyses or queries based on the first name or last name, it might be better to store them separately. However, if the full name is considered atomic and analysis based on first or last name is not necessary, storing the full name as a single attribute might be more appropriate.