From Ruf or rufen +‎ Name.

• IPA^(key): /ˈʁuːfˌnaːmə/

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

Rufname m (weak, genitive Rufnamens, plural Rufnamen)

1. a person’s main given name by which they are usually known (typically, but in German-speaking Europe not necessarily, the first given name)

   Coordinate term: Zweitname

   Meine Vornamen sind Hans Emil Werner, aber mein Rufname ist Emil.

   My given names are Hans Emil Werner, but I am called Emil.

   Geben Sie bitte alle Vornamen an und unterstreichen Sie den Rufnamen!

   Please indicate all your given names and underline that by which you are commonly known.

• Rufname is always one of the official given names, a nickname.
• In Germany, the Rufname was defined in birth certificates and official documents until 2015. A person can since choose it from among their given names and can also request to change the official order.