--- title: What’s your name in Spanish? description: Learn how to ask “What’s your name in Spanish” with this comprehensive guide. Explore formal and informal phrases, understand when to use cuál vs. qué, and improve your Spanish introductions! image: https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/2-Dec-23-2024-12-03-51-2185-PM.jpg --- [![logo-soy-guiri](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/logo-soy-guiri.svg) ![logo-soy-guiri](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/logo-soy-guiri.svg)](https://soyguiri.com/) - [Our Method](https://soyguiri.com/#methodology) - [Our Courses](https://soyguiri.com/#our-courses) - [About us](https://soyguiri.com/#about-us) - [Impact](https://soyguiri.com/impact/) - [Blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com) - [Contact](https://soyguiri.com/#contact-us) [My Account](https://soyguiri.com/wp-login.php) - [Our Method](https://soyguiri.com/#methodology) - [Our Courses](https://soyguiri.com/#our-courses) - [About us](https://soyguiri.com/#about-us) - [Impact](https://soyguiri.com/impact/) - [Blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com) - [Contact](https://soyguiri.com/#contact-us) [My Account](https://soyguiri.com/wp-login.php) [New blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/new-blog) [Learning Spanish](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/learning-spanish) [Difficulties](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/difficulties) # What’s your name in Spanish? [Mónica Jiménez](https://blog.soyguiri.com/author/mónica-jiménez) January 28 2025 When you start learning Spanish, one of the first things you'll need to know is how to ask and answer the question: **“What’s your name?”🤔**. In this post, we’ll teach you how to ask and answer about names in Spanish, explore some fun facts **🪄** about Spanish names and surnames, and share a list of the most common names with their English equivalents. ![What's your name in Spanish](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imagen%20-%20Post%20-%203%20best%20ways%20(3).png?width=856&height=447&name=Imagen%20-%20Post%20-%203%20best%20ways%20(3).png) ### **How do you say “What’s your name” in Spanish?** There are several ways to ask someone’s name, depending on the level of **formality** **Click on the 🔊 button to hear the pronunciation of questions and responses in Spanish.** | Question | Response | Context | | --- | --- | --- | | ¿Cómo te llamas? 🔊 *What is your name?* | Soy \[name\] 🔊 *I am \[name\]* | Informal | | ¿Cómo se llama (usted)? 🔊 *What is your name? (formal)* | Me llamo \[name\] 🔊 *My name is \[name\]* | Formal | | ¿Cuál es tu nombre? 🔊 *What is your name?* | \[name\]; ¿Y tú? 🔊 *\[name\]; And you?* | Neutral | | ¿Me puedes decir tu nombre? 🔊 *Can you tell me your name?* | Mi nombre es \[name\]; Un placer conocerte 🔊 *My name is \[name\]; Nice to meet you* | Casual | ### Example conversation: 👩 *Hola, ¿cómo te llamas?* (*Hi, what’s your name?*) 👦 *Me llamo Carlos. ¿Y tú?* (*My name is Carlos. And you?*) ### **Is it “Cuál” or “Qué” for asking a name?** One common question learners have is whether to use **cuál** or **qué** when asking for someone’s name. **✅ ¿Cuál es tu nombre?** – This translates to **“What is your name?”** and is **grammatically correct**. **❌ ¿Qué es tu nombre?** – This phrase is technically **incorrect** in Spanish. 💡 **Tip:** Always use **cuál** when asking for a name in Spanish. It’s the **standard** and widely accepted form. ### **[![kit](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/144185739/interactive-182445752531.png)](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKkmphgmvKWixykWi4Aw5d2n%2BAQInRau0wCRDN%2F0UuEOBzCcQO8uy3Mi2606GPTLO1bPFEbMpcn2v4ItvD3SC6eUoht1E308nguinArlmj9hngKJnJRCowOmj%2BiaSh%2FOjzrf3AxmMWH4p9T3EKqSV89mFR7qB7Mgpcr8GCIitQMLEzRoeH5aqxglpnq3AoO9IU%2BdbYCgJrJ1jP7xU3BkZmezxjSySA%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182445752531&portalId=144185739)** ## The most common names in Spanish (with English equivalents) Here’s a list of popular Spanish names and their translations to help you recognise them: ### 🧑 Names for men: José ➡️ (*Joseph*) 0:02 Juan ➡️ (*John*) 0:02 Carlos ➡️ (*Charles*) 0:02 Luis ➡️ (*Louis*) 0:02 Antonio ➡️ (*Anthony*) 0:01 ### 👩 Names for women: **María** ➡️ (*Mary*) 0:02 **Ana** ➡️ (*Anna*) 0:01 **Carmen** ➡️ (*Carmen*) 0:02 **Isabel** ➡️ (*Elizabeth*) 0:02 **Laura** ➡️ (*Laura*) 0:01   **💡Tip**: Try to memorise these names by matching them with their English equivalents! ## Fun facts about Spanish surnames Spanish surnames are unique and reveal fascinating aspects of the culture: ### **1. Two surnames, double the identity** In Spanish-speaking countries, people use **two surnames**: the first from their father and the second from their mother. Example: *Sofía Martínez López* ### **2. What does your surname mean?** Many Spanish surnames come from places or professions. 👉 Hernández  (*Son of Hernán*) 0:02   👉 Zapatero (*Shoemaker*) 0:02   👉 Del Río (*From the river*) 0:02   👉 Del Valle  (From the valley) 0:02   👉 Moreno (Dark-skinned or dark-haired) 0:02   👉 Blanco (White) 0:02   👉 Torres (Towers) 0:01   👉 Navarro  (From Navarra) 0:02   👉 Gallego (From Galicia) 0:02   👉 Campos (Fields) 0:01 ## [![CTA - 750x390- Kit (1)](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/144185739/interactive-182445752517.png)](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLzYOGAR%2FxmfQugum21%2BW4BKeHAYvIUkJpR6lB175imEAZJ3ow6bctn77kQ0ureEN%2Bnjw%2F0DCq1moa9MgoIkmyFlDjmGJFZgwvh9yKUHiav0t3rrtxz9p4i0sAPtb%2BvmMByF7ia6KR2WCgdcP1tJMx557P9FjAfCPJt22x3XKex1k2fxM19rF54JeJat69Z3r4uWu%2BgR0kZIAyV7YksZC4SBM4%2BW3c%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182445752517&portalId=144185739) ## How to use these phrases in real life Here’s how you can practise these phrases and improve your Spanish: ### **1. Introduce yourself** Use phrases like: *Hola, me llamo Pedro. ¿Y tú?*  (*Hi, my name is Pedro. And you?*) ### **2. Ask questions about names** 👉 *¿Cómo se escribe tu nombre?*  (*How do you spell your name?*) 0:03 👉 *¿Cuál es tu apellido?*  (*What’s your last name?*) 0:02 ### **3. Spot Spanish names around you** Look for names in Spanish movies, songs, or books. Can you find the equivalents in English? ## Did you know...? In Spain, people can **switch the order of their surnames** if they prefer to prioritise the mother’s surname. For example: *Martínez López* can become *López Martínez*. ### TIME TO PRACTICE 💪 Decide if these words are girl's or boy's names or if they are surnames. ### **Tips for mastering Spanish introductions** 1. 1. **Practice with Native Speakers:** Join **language exchange groups** or use apps to practice asking for and giving names 💬. 2. **Use Real-Life Scenarios:** Role-play situations like meeting someone new at a **party** or in a **classroom** 🎉. 3. **Listen to Dialogues:** Watch **Spanish movies** or listen to **podcasts** to hear how native speakers introduce themselves 🎥. 4. **Record Yourself:** Practice **pronunciation** and compare it to **native examples** 🎙️. ## Boost your conversational skills in Spanish FAST! 👀 Check out this video for tips and tricks to help you improve your Spanish speaking abilities! 💡In tip 2 you will find a sample conversation to practice this topic and other questions about personal information.   ### Don't miss the latest publications - [![Driving in Spain](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/Imagen%20-%20Post%20-%203%20best%20ways-Jun-09-2026-08-07-25-1462-AM.png)](https://blog.soyguiri.com/driving-in-spain) [New blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/new-blog), [Spanish Lifestyle](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/spanish-lifestyle), [Learning Spanish](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/learning-spanish) January 28, 2025 #### [🚗 Driving in Spain: what surprises foreigners the most?🇪🇸☀️](https://blog.soyguiri.com/driving-in-spain) [Read more](https://blog.soyguiri.com/driving-in-spain) - [![I think in Spanish](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/Imagen%20-%20Post%20-%203%20best%20ways%20(2)-Jun-18-2026-10-43-52-1643-AM.png)](https://blog.soyguiri.com/i-think-in-spanish) [New blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/new-blog), [Spanish Grammar](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/spanish-grammar), [Difficulties](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/difficulties) January 28, 2025 #### [🧠'I think' in Spanish: sound natural and confident in conversations💭](https://blog.soyguiri.com/i-think-in-spanish) If you've been learning Spanish for a while, you've probably found yourself saying '**I think'** all the time. 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