Crossword Genius

Forename of many a Pole (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dan

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'forename' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'many a pole' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'd' ().
'pole' becomes 'n' (abbreviation for North, as in North Pole).
'd'+'a'+'n'='DAN'

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dan that I've seen before include "book (abbreviated version)" , "Level of competence in judo" , "A Desperate cartoon character" , "Person proficient in judo" , "degree of proficiency in judo, say?" .)

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