That homely forename (5)

I believe the answer is:

james

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'forename' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for james that I've seen before include "Man's name" , "P D - - , writer" , "Former king" , "Title of epistle" , "Capt. - Cook, explorer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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