Knowing how to say your name in another language can be helpful, especially when you meet new people or travel. In this article, we will learn how to say “name” in French, as well as how to ask and answer questions about names in various ways. Whether you’re introducing yourself in a casual setting or in a formal situation, these phrases will help you sound natural in French conversations.
Understanding different ways to say “what is your name” and how to respond will also make it easier for you to communicate. You’ll learn how to ask someone their name politely, say your name in formal settings, and much more. By the end of this article, you’ll feel more confident when talking about names in French.
Ways to Say “Name” in French
When it comes to talking about names in French, there are different ways to say and ask about them. Below are 25 useful phrases and expressions that will help you sound fluent when discussing names. Each entry includes the pronunciation, meaning, and an example sentence to show you how to use it.
Comment tu t’appelles ?
Pronunciation: /koh-mahn too tah-pell/
Meaning: “What is your name?” (informal)
In a Sentence:
- “Salut, comment tu t’appelles ?” (Hi, what’s your name?)
- “Comment tu t’appelles ? Je m’appelle Marc.” (What is your name? My name is Marc.)
Quel est ton nom ?
Pronunciation: /kel eh ton noh/
Meaning: “What is your name?” (informal)
In a Sentence:
- “Quel est ton nom ? Je suis Anna.” (What’s your name? I’m Anna.)
- “Quel est ton nom ? C’est un nom très joli.” (What’s your name? It’s a very nice name.)
Comment vous appelez-vous ?
Pronunciation: /koh-mahn voo zah-play voo/
Meaning: “What is your name?” (formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous ?” (Hello, what’s your name?)
- “Comment vous appelez-vous, madame ?” (What is your name, madam?)
Quel est votre nom ?
Pronunciation: /kel eh voh-truh noh/
Meaning: “What is your name?” (formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Quel est votre nom, monsieur ?” (What is your name, sir?)
- “Quel est votre nom ? Je vous ai entendu parler.” (What is your name? I heard you speaking.)
Je m’appelle…
Pronunciation: /zhuh mah-pell/
Meaning: “My name is…”
In a Sentence:
- “Je m’appelle Claire.” (My name is Claire.)
- “Je m’appelle Pierre, et toi ?” (My name is Pierre, and you?)
Mon nom est…
Pronunciation: /mohn noh eh/
Meaning: “My name is…”
In a Sentence:
- “Mon nom est Sophie.” (My name is Sophie.)
- “Mon nom est Jacques.” (My name is Jacques.)
Tu t’appelles comment ?
Pronunciation: /too tah-pell koh-mahn/
Meaning: “What is your name?” (informal)
In a Sentence:
- “Tu t’appelles comment ? Je ne me souviens pas.” (What’s your name? I don’t remember.)
- “Tu t’appelles comment, Marc ?” (What’s your name, Marc?)
Votre nom est…
Pronunciation: /voh-truh noh eh/
Meaning: “Your name is…” (formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Votre nom est très beau.” (Your name is very beautiful.)
- “Votre nom est difficile à prononcer.” (Your name is hard to pronounce.)
On m’appelle…
Pronunciation: /on mah-pell/
Meaning: “I am called…”
In a Sentence:
- “On m’appelle Thomas.” (I am called Thomas.)
- “On m’appelle Julie.” (I am called Julie.)
C’est quoi ton nom ?
Pronunciation: /say kwah ton noh/
Meaning: “What’s your name?” (informal, more casual)
In a Sentence:
- “C’est quoi ton nom ?” (What’s your name?)
- “C’est quoi ton nom ? Je l’ai oublié.” (What’s your name? I forgot it.)
Je suis…
Pronunciation: /zhuh swee/
Meaning: “I am…”
In a Sentence:
- “Je suis Luc.” (I am Luc.)
- “Je suis une étudiante.” (I am a student.)
Vous vous appelez comment ?
Pronunciation: /voo voo zah-play koh-mahn/
Meaning: “What is your name?” (formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Vous vous appelez comment, madame ?” (What is your name, ma’am?)
- “Vous vous appelez comment, monsieur ?” (What is your name, sir?)
Tu as quel nom ?
Pronunciation: /too ah kel noh/
Meaning: “What’s your name?” (informal)
In a Sentence:
- “Tu as quel nom ? Je l’ai oublié.” (What’s your name? I forgot it.)
- “Tu as quel nom ? Je suis désolée.” (What’s your name? I’m sorry.)
Comment s’appelle-t-il ?
Pronunciation: /koh-mahn sah-pell-teel/
Meaning: “What is his name?”
In a Sentence:
- “Comment s’appelle-t-il ?” (What is his name?)
- “Comment s’appelle-t-il, ce garçon ?” (What is this boy’s name?)
Comment s’appelle-elle ?
Pronunciation: /koh-mahn sah-pell-el/
Meaning: “What is her name?”
In a Sentence:
- “Comment s’appelle-elle ?” (What is her name?)
- “Comment s’appelle-elle, la nouvelle étudiante ?” (What is the new student’s name?)
C’est le nom de…
Pronunciation: /say luh noh duh/
Meaning: “It is the name of…”
In a Sentence:
- “C’est le nom de mon ami.” (It is the name of my friend.)
- “C’est le nom de ma sœur.” (It’s the name of my sister.)
Ma famille s’appelle…
Pronunciation: /mah fah-mee sah-pell/
Meaning: “My family is called…”
In a Sentence:
- “Ma famille s’appelle Dupont.” (My family is called Dupont.)
- “Ma famille s’appelle Martin.” (My family is called Martin.)
Je m’appelle… et toi ?
Pronunciation: /zhuh mah-pell et twa/
Meaning: “My name is… and you?”
In a Sentence:
- “Je m’appelle Anna et toi ?” (My name is Anna, and you?)
- “Je m’appelle Pierre et toi ?” (My name is Pierre, and you?)
On l’appelle…
Pronunciation: /on lah-pell/
Meaning: “They call him/her…”
In a Sentence:
- “On l’appelle Marie.” (They call her Marie.)
- “On l’appelle Jacques.” (They call him Jacques.)
Ton nom, c’est…?
Pronunciation: /ton noh, say/
Meaning: “Your name is…?” (informal)
In a Sentence:
- “Ton nom, c’est Marie ?” (Is your name Marie?)
- “Ton nom, c’est Paul ?” (Is your name Paul?)
Quel est ton prénom ?
Pronunciation: /kel eh ton preh-noh/
Meaning: “What is your first name?”
In a Sentence:
- “Quel est ton prénom ?” (What is your first name?)
- “Quel est ton prénom ? Je suis Marie.” (What is your first name? I’m Marie.)
Puis-je savoir votre nom ?
Pronunciation: /pwee-zh sah-vwar voh-truh noh/
Meaning: “May I know your name?” (formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Puis-je savoir votre nom ?” (May I know your name?)
- “Puis-je savoir votre nom, monsieur ?” (May I know your name, sir?)
Comment s’appellent-ils ?
Pronunciation: /koh-mahn sah-pell-til/
Meaning: “What are their names?”
In a Sentence:
- “Comment s’appellent-ils ?” (What are their names?)
- “Comment s’appellent-ils, ces enfants ?” (What are the names of these children?)
Je voudrais connaître votre nom.
Pronunciation: /zhuh voo-dray koh-neh-truh voh-truh noh/
Meaning: “I would like to know your name.” (formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Je voudrais connaître votre nom.” (I would like to know your name.)
- “Je voudrais connaître votre nom, s’il vous plaît.” (I would like to know your name, please.)
Vous avez quel nom ?
Pronunciation: /voo zah-vay kel noh/
Meaning: “What’s your name?” (formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Vous avez quel nom, madame ?” (What is your name, ma’am?)
- “Vous avez quel nom, monsieur ?” (What is your name, sir?)
Puis-je connaître votre nom ?
Pronunciation: /pwee-zh koh-neh-truh voh-truh noh/
Meaning: “May I know your name?” (formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Puis-je connaître votre nom, s’il vous plaît ?” (May I know your name, please?)
- “Puis-je connaître votre nom avant de continuer ?” (May I know your name before we proceed?)
Votre prénom, c’est quoi ?
Pronunciation: /voh-truh preh-noh say kwah/
Meaning: “What is your first name?” (casual)
In a Sentence:
- “Votre prénom, c’est quoi ?” (What is your first name?)
- “Votre prénom, c’est quoi, déjà ?” (What’s your first name again?)
Puis-je savoir à qui j’ai l’honneur ?
Pronunciation: /pwee-zh sah-vwar ah kee zhay loh-neur/
Meaning: “May I know whom I have the honor of speaking with?” (very formal)
In a Sentence:
- “Puis-je savoir à qui j’ai l’honneur de parler ?” (May I know whom I have the honor of speaking with?)
- “Puis-je savoir à qui j’ai l’honneur de m’adresser ?” (May I know whom I have the honor of addressing?)
Quel est le nom de famille ?
Pronunciation: /kel eh luh noh duh fah-mee/
Meaning: “What is the last name?”
In a Sentence:
- “Quel est le nom de famille de votre ami ?” (What is your friend’s last name?)
- “Quel est le nom de famille inscrit ici ?” (What is the last name written here?)
Puis-je vous demander votre nom ?
Pronunciation: /pwee-zh voo duh-mahn-day voh-truh noh/
Meaning: “May I ask your name?”
In a Sentence:
- “Puis-je vous demander votre nom ?” (May I ask your name?)
- “Puis-je vous demander votre nom avant de continuer ?” (May I ask your name before continuing?)
Other Ways to Say “Name” in French
Here is a table with different ways to say “name” in French, including their pronunciation, meanings, and example sentences:
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Ton prénom | /ton preh-noh/ | Your first name (informal) | “Quel est ton prénom ?” (What’s your first name?) |
| Votre prénom | /voh-truh preh-noh/ | Your first name (formal) | “Puis-je connaître votre prénom ?” (May I know your first name?) |
| Nom de famille | /noh duh fah-mee/ | Last name / Family name | “Quel est votre nom de famille ?” (What is your last name?) |
| Nom complet | /noh kom-pleh/ | Full name | “Quel est votre nom complet ?” (What is your full name?) |
| Identité | /ee-don-tee-tay/ | Identity | “Puis-je vérifier votre identité ?” (May I verify your identity?) |
| Personne | /pehr-son/ | Person | “Cette personne est connue ici.” (This person is well known here.) |
| Appellation | /ah-pel-la-syon/ | Title or designation | “Quelle est son appellation officielle ?” (What is his official title?) |
| Surnom | /syur-noh/ | Nickname | “Mon surnom est Léo.” (My nickname is Léo.) |
| Pseudo | /psoo-doh/ | Username or pseudonym | “Quel est ton pseudo en ligne ?” (What’s your online username?) |
| Nom officiel | /noh oh-fee-syel/ | Official name | “Quel est le nom officiel de l’entreprise ?” (What is the company’s official name?) |
| Identité légale | /ee-don-tee-tay leh-gal/ | Legal identity | “Vous devez fournir votre identité légale.” (You must provide your legal identity.) |
| Titre de civilité | /tee-truh duh see-vee-lee-tay/ | Title of courtesy | “Quel est votre titre de civilité ?” (What is your courtesy title?) |
Responses to “Name” in French
When someone asks your name in French, it’s useful to know how to respond properly. Depending on the formality of the situation, you can choose from several polite and friendly replies. Below are common responses you can use:
Je m’appelle…
Meaning: “My name is…”
Example:
- “Je m’appelle Sophie.” (My name is Sophie.)
Moi, c’est…
Meaning: “I am…” (informal)
Example:
- “Moi, c’est Thomas.” (I’m Thomas.)
Mon nom est…
Meaning: “My name is…” (formal)
Example:
- “Mon nom est Marie Dupont.” (My name is Marie Dupont.)
C’est…
Meaning: “It’s…” (introducing someone else)
Example:
- “C’est Paul.” (This is Paul.)
Vous pouvez m’appeler…
Meaning: “You can call me…”
Example:
“Vous pouvez m’appeler Léo.” (You can call me Léo.)
- Je suis…
Meaning: “I am…” (simple introduction)
Example:
- “Je suis Claire.” (I am Claire.)
Enchanté(e), je m’appelle…
Meaning: “Nice to meet you, my name is…”
Example:
- “Enchantée, je m’appelle Julie.” (Nice to meet you, my name is Julie.)
On m’appelle…
Meaning: “They call me…”
Example:
- “On m’appelle Max.” (They call me Max.)
Mon prénom est…
Meaning: “My first name is…”
Example:
- “Mon prénom est Lucie.” (My first name is Lucie.)
Je suis connu(e) sous le nom de…
Meaning: “I am known as…”
Example:
- “Je suis connu sous le nom de Jean.” (I am known as Jean.)
Appelez-moi…
Meaning: “Call me…”
Example:
- “Appelez-moi Pierre.” (Call me Pierre.)
Mon surnom est…
Meaning: “My nickname is…”
Example:
- “Mon surnom est Mimi.” (My nickname is Mimi.)
C’est moi, [Name].
Meaning: “It’s me, [Name].”
Example:
- “C’est moi, Camille.” (It’s me, Camille.)
Je réponds au nom de…
Meaning: “I go by the name…” (formal)
Example:
- “Je réponds au nom de Monsieur Bernard.” (I go by the name Mr. Bernard.)
Vous pouvez m’appeler par mon prénom…
Meaning: “You can call me by my first name…”
Example:
- “Vous pouvez m’appeler par mon prénom, Julie.” (You can call me by my first name, Julie.)
Exercise to Practice “Name” in French
Fill in the blanks using the correct French phrases for introducing or asking about names. Each sentence is in French with its English meaning provided below.
Fill-in-the-Blanks:
- ________, je m’appelle Thomas. (Hello, my name is Thomas.)
- Comment ________ ? (What is your name?)
- Mon prénom ________ Marie. (My first name is Marie.)
- ________ votre nom complet ? (What is your full name?)
- Je réponds ________ Monsieur Dupont. (I go by the name Mr. Dupont.)
- ________ ton prénom ? (What’s your first name?)
- Vous pouvez ________ Léo. (You can call me Léo.)
- Mon nom ________ Sophie Martin. (My name is Sophie Martin.)
- C’est moi, ________. (It’s me, Julie.)
- Puis-je ________ votre prénom ? (May I know your first name?)
- Je suis ________, enchanté de vous rencontrer ! (I’m Paul, nice to meet you!)
- ________ tu t’appelles ? (What’s your name?)
Answers:
- Bonjour
- t’appelles-tu
- est
- Quel est
- au nom de
- Quel est
- m’appeler
- est
- Camille
- connaître
- Paul
- Comment
Conclusion
Learning how to say “name” in French is a valuable skill for everyday conversations. Whether you are introducing yourself, asking someone’s name, or responding politely, these phrases will help you communicate clearly and confidently.
By practicing different ways to say and respond to names in French, you’ll be ready for both casual and formal situations. Keep using these expressions in real-life conversations, and soon, talking about names in French will feel natural and easy. Bon courage!