The term refers to the letters placed before the name of a person, often thought of as titles. No full stop is used when writing honorifics such as Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss, and Ms.
In most cases, it is acceptable to use the full name with honorific in the first instance, and then simply refer to the individual by their family/last name in subsequent references.
- Dr Joseph Bloggs assembled the paperwork in neat piles … Bloggs was known for being meticulous in all his dealings.
When writing for news media and in formal writing, use the full name with honorific in the first instance, and the family/last name with the honorific in subsequent references. Academic titles are treated the same way.
- Dr Joseph Bloggs assembled the paperwork in neat piles … Dr Bloggs was known for being meticulous in all his dealings.
- Associate Professor Sandra Jenkins says the findings were a surprise … Associate Professor Jenkins looked forward to completing the next phase of the project.
Where no title, just Joseph Bloggs (not Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss), then Bloggs thereafter.
No honorific is needed when referring to children or undergraduates. Use the full name in the first instance and then just the first name in subsequent references.