Mr or Mrs in front of a first name (2024)

My pseudo is Thomas Tompion. When I'm referred to by someone else, it's often Thomas Tompion, Thomas, Tom, or even Thom. Today someone referred to me - and this was a first - as Mr Thomas. Now I reckon I'm Mr Tompion, rather than Mr Thomas. How do you use

?

I wasn't in the least concerned or irritated by this; just curious.

In southern states, folks tend to use Mr., Mrs., Miss with first names - Mr. Will, Miss Judy. . . Same thing with the title "Father" - Father Joe, Father Martin. . .

You may recall "Miss Scarlet" in Gone With The Wind.

"Mr. Thomas" sounds both respectful and endearing at the same time. It's used sometimes to address a person you like while still honoring them. For example, my children called their pre-school teachers by "Miss" followed by their first name ("Miss Darlene", "Miss Carol"). This had nothing to do with their marital status; "Miss Carol" is the wife of our pastor, but she's always "Miss Carol" to the children who had her as a pre-school teacher. Many of the parents call her "Miss Carol", too, if their children had her as a teacher.

I call my children "Mister (firstname)" as a term of endearment, and even "Mister C" and "Mister M" (their first initials). Of all their childhood nicknames, those two have remained acceptable to them. I do the same sometimes with friends; "Mr. Mark" or "Mr. John". It's a playful formality, I guess.

Otherwise, in business correspondance and daily life I would only use "Mr." with the last name.

In English, are there any instances/situations where it would be acceptable to have the titles Mr or Mrs infront of a first name?

eg Mr Peter / Mrs Jane

(Such usage is acceptable in Italian.)

Gemelle said:

In English, are there any instances/situations where it would be acceptable to have the titles Mr or Mrs in front of a first name?

eg Mr Peter / Mrs Jane

(Such usage is acceptable in Italian.)

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It would be very unusual.

Unusual - yes. I think we would only do it as almost a joke - How are you today Mr Harry?

You do hear "Miss" and "Master" used like this, though.

In the United States, we used to use Ms., Miss, Mr. and Mrs. exclusively in front of family names only. This has been changing. Depending on the policies of the school or organization, you may hear:

Mr. Bob
Dr. Bob
Miss Nancy
Professor Bob
Miss C.

Oddly, I've yet to hear Mrs. or Ms. version used before a woman's given name or initial. That doesn't mean it's not done, just that I haven't heard it. And yes, students will call their teachers "Mr. Bob". There are schools that prohibit this usage.

Orange Blossom

Orange Blossom said:

In the United States, we used to use Ms., Miss, Mr. and Mrs. exclusively in front of family names only. This has been changing.

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I don't know your age or where you are located, but I can assure you that Mr. in front of a first name is nothing new in the Middle Atlantic states or the South. I was addressed, to my surprise, as
Mr. (my first name) in Baltimore in the 1960s.

Wikipedia has it right.

US usage:

In some areas, notably the Southern United States, Mr is sometimes used with only the first name to indicate a mixture of familiarity and respect. Children are frequently encouraged to use this locution when referring to and addressing adult friends of the family.

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cuchuflete said:

I don't know your age or where you are located, but I can assure you that Mr. in front of a first name is nothing new in the Middle Atlantic states or the South. I was addressed, to my surprise, as
Mr. (my first name) in Baltimore in the 1960s.

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Most intriguing. So, there are regional differences within the United States on this usage. I hail from Northwest Indiana, and my folks from farther north yet.

We have used: Uncle first name, Aunt first name.As far as using Mr. first name, Miss first name, Dr. first name; to my knowledge in Northwest Indiana, this didn't start occuring until the 1980's and then it was quite rare. There are schools here in Southern Indiana that forbid such usage by their students.

Orange Blossom

It was common in past centuries for the son to be called Mr. _______(first name), to distinguish him from
Mister ________(last name). Here is an early 19th century example:

Page 17

“It was the customary remark of the people, that ‘although Mr. Edwards was perhaps the more learned man, and more animated in his manner, yet Mr. Jonathan was the deeper preacher.’ “

The reference is to Mr. Edwards, the younger.

By Jonathan Edwards, David Brainerd

Published 1830
G. & C. & H. Carvell

Have a look here.

Orange Blossom said:

Oddly, I've yet to hear Mrs. or Ms. version used before a woman's given name or initial.

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In the UK, rightly or wrongly, there is only one Mrs (or Lady as she is now) T. - Mrs Thatcher.

My partner's dad calls his wife "Mrs B" quite often (their surname starts with a "B").