1
general::
1. By the authority of, as in Open up, in the name of the law! [Late 1300s] 2. On behalf of, as in She made a donation in her daughter's name. [Late 1300s] 3. in God's or heaven's name;in the name of God or heaven. With appeal to, as in In the name of God, stop that noise! or What in heaven's name are you doing? [c. A.D. 900] 4. Under the designation of, as in They burned witches at the stake in the name of piety. [Late 1300s] 5. Under the possession or ownership of, as in The certificate of ownership was rightfully in my name. [Mid-1900s] 6. in one's own name. On one's own behalf, as in Mary signed the check for John in her own name. [Late 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms