What Is a Proper Noun? Definition, Rules, and Clear Examples

When you name a specific person, place, or thing, such as Emma or the Eiffel Tower, you are using a proper noun. Unlike general nouns, proper nouns refer to one exact name, which is why they are always capitalized.

You see proper nouns every day in writing. Names of people, cities, companies, days, and brands are all proper nouns. Understanding how they work helps you write clearly and capitalize words correctly without guessing.

What Is a Proper Noun?

A proper noun is a noun that names a particular person, place, organization, or thing. It refers to one specific name, not a general category.

Because proper nouns identify something unique, they are always capitalized.

For example:

• Emma refers to one specific person, not any girl.
• London names one particular city, not cities in general.
• Microsoft identifies a specific company, not businesses overall.

Proper nouns help readers know exactly what or who you mean, without confusion. When a noun answers the question “Which one exactly?”, it is likely a proper noun.

In contrast, words like girl, city, and company are common nouns because they describe general groups, not specific names.

Proper Noun Examples

• Names of People: Robert, Jessica, Mr. Khan, Dr. Meera Kapoor
• Places: India, London, Mount Fuji, Nile River
• Brands and Organizations: Apple, Toyota, Netflix, World Health Organization
• Days and Months: Monday, Thursday, January, October
• Books, Movies, and Titles: The Hobbit, Titanic, A Brief History of Time

Why Proper Nouns Are Capitalized

Capital letters help readers see that the word points to a unique identity, not a general idea. When you write a proper noun, you are not describing a category. You are identifying an exact name. Capitalization makes that distinction clear at a glance.

Compare how meaning changes with capitalization:

• The city expanded quickly.
• The project is based in Toronto.

In the first sentence, city is general. In the second, Toronto names one specific place, so it is capitalized.

Capitalization also helps avoid confusion. A reader can immediately tell whether a word refers to something specific or something broad. This is especially important with names that can also function as common nouns, such as school, hospital, or president. When those words are part of an official name, capitalization shows that they refer to a particular institution or title.

In short, proper nouns are capitalized to mark identity and specificity, making writing clearer and easier to understand.

Types of Proper Nouns (With Examples)

Proper nouns appear in many forms, but they all share one feature. They name something specific. Below are the most common types of proper nouns, explained with clear context and fresh examples.

Names of People

Proper nouns are used for the names of individuals. This includes full names, first names used on their own, and titles when they appear with a name.

Examples:

• Priya submitted her research proposal on Friday.
• Dr. Hernandez will review the final report.
• Michael moved to Seattle after college.

Names of Places

Places become proper nouns when they name a specific location rather than a general area.

Examples:

• The conference is being held in Berlin.
• She grew up near the Thames.
• We booked a hotel close to Central Park.

Names of Organizations and Institutions

Organizations, companies, schools, and government bodies are proper nouns because they refer to specific entities.

Examples:

• Google announced a new privacy update.
• She completed her degree at Stanford University.
• The policy was approved by the Supreme Court.

Names of Days, Months, and Holidays

Days of the week, months of the year, and holidays are always treated as proper nouns.

Examples:

• The meeting is scheduled for Monday.
• He starts his new role in August.
• They travel home every Christmas.

Brand Names and Products

Brand names and trademarked products are proper nouns because they identify a specific brand, not a general item.

Examples:

• She replaced her old phone with an iPhone.
• The team uses Zoom for weekly check-ins.
• He paid for the subscription through PayPal.

Multi-Word Proper Nouns

Some proper nouns are made up of more than one word. These are called multi-word proper nouns. Even though they include several words, they function as one specific name, which is why each main word is capitalized.

Multi-word proper nouns often name organizations, places, events, or official titles.

Look at these examples:

• The conference was hosted by the World Health Organization.
• She completed her degree at the University of Melbourne.
• The case was reviewed by the International Court of Justice.

In each example, the words work together to name one specific entity. Capitalizing only part of the name would make it unclear or incorrect.

Multi-word proper nouns can also include shorter words such as of, the, or and. These words are usually not capitalized unless they appear at the beginning of a sentence.

Examples:

• The report was published by the Bank of England.
• The Bank of England released a new policy update.
• She works at the University of Cape Town.
• The University of Cape Town announced new admission guidelines.

When a group of words names a unique person, place, or institution, it is treated as a single proper noun, no matter how long the name is.

Proper Nouns vs Common Nouns

Proper nouns and common nouns differ in how specific they are.

A proper noun names a particular person, place, organization, or thing.
A common noun names a general category or type.

This difference affects both meaning and capitalization.

Look at how the same idea changes with context:

• She works for a software company.
• She works for Adobe.

In the first sentence, company is a common noun because it refers to businesses in general. In the second sentence, Adobe is a proper noun because it names one specific company.

When a Common Noun Becomes a Proper Noun

A common noun becomes a proper noun when it is used to name one specific person, place, or institution. The change depends on context, not on the word itself. When the meaning becomes exact, capitalization follows.

Titles Used With Names

Job titles and roles stay lowercase when used generally. They become proper nouns when they appear directly with a person’s name.

Examples:

• She spoke with her professor after class.
• Professor Adams published the study last year.

In the first sentence, professor describes a role. In the second, it helps identify a specific person, so it is capitalized.

Institutions and Organizations

Words like school, hospital, or court are common nouns when they refer to institutions in general. They become proper nouns when they are part of an official name.

Examples:

• The hospital updated its visitor policy.
• Mount Sinai Hospital updated its visitor policy.

The meaning shifts from a general institution to a named organization.

Family Terms Used as Names

Family words are usually common nouns. They become proper nouns when they are used as names instead of descriptions.

Examples:

• Her uncle lives in Calgary.
• Uncle James lives in Calgary.

When the family term functions as a name, capitalization is required.

Proper Adjectives (Formed from Proper Nouns)

A proper adjective is an adjective formed from a proper noun. It describes something related to a specific person, place, culture, or organization. Because it comes from a proper noun, it is always capitalized.

Proper adjectives help you connect qualities, styles, or origins to a specific name.

For example:

• Italy becomes Italian
• Shakespeare becomes Shakespearean
• Canada becomes Canadian

Even though proper adjectives function as adjectives, they keep the capitalization of the original proper noun.

Look at these sentences in context:

• She prefers Italian cuisine over fast food.
• The course focuses on Shakespearean drama.
• Canadian winters can be long and cold.

In each case, the adjective points back to a specific name. That connection is what makes it a proper adjective.

Proper adjectives often describe:

• Nationality or origin (French, Brazilian)
• Culture or language (Arabic, Spanish)
• Historical or personal influence (Victorian, Darwinian)

FAQs About Proper Nouns