The foaf:familyName property is provided (alongside foaf:givenName) for use when describing parts of people's names. Although these concepts do not capture the full range of personal naming styles found world-wide, they are commonly used and have some value.

There is also a simple foaf:name property.

Support is also provided for the more archaic and culturally varying terminology of foaf:firstName and foaf:lastName.

See the issue tracker for design discussions, status and ongoing work on rationalising the FOAF naming machinery.