Call out of one's name means: To call someone by a name other than their actual name; to misname.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
call out of one's name
(now, chiefly, AAVE, formerly more widespread) To call someone by a name other than their actual name; to misname.
Definitions
US
#1·Apr 27, 2026US
(now, chiefly, AAVE, formerly more widespread) To call someone by a name other than their actual name; to misname.
For parents
Call out of one's name means: To call someone by a name other than their actual name; to misname.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
call out of one's name means: To call someone by a name other than their actual name; to misname.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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US
#2·Apr 27, 2026US
(now, chiefly, AAVE, formerly more widespread) To swear at (someone); to curse out.
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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🎤About Black culture & AAVE slang
Slang from Black American Vernacular English (AAVE), hip-hop, drag and ballroom culture, the Caribbean, and NYC street vocabulary. The single largest source of new mainstream English slang in living memory.
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Other words near "call out of one's name" (C)
callithumpiancall liquorcall on the carpetcalloocall outcalloutcallovercall someone everything but a child of Godcall the ballcall the fire brigadecall the fire departmentcall the shots
Browse all slang words starting with C.