--- 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! --- [SoyGuiri Blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com) # [What’s your name in Spanish?](https://blog.soyguiri.com/whats-your-name) Written by [Mónica Jiménez](https://blog.soyguiri.com/author/mónica-jiménez) | Jan 28, 2025, 2:02:24 PM 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. ### **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. ### **** ## 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*) Juan ➡️ (*John*) Carlos ➡️ (*Charles*) Luis ➡️ (*Louis*) Antonio ➡️ (*Anthony*) ### 👩 Names for women: **María** ➡️ (*Mary*) **Ana** ➡️ (*Anna*) **Carmen** ➡️ (*Carmen*) **Isabel** ➡️ (*Elizabeth*) **Laura** ➡️ (*Laura*)   **💡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*)   👉 Zapatero (*Shoemaker*)   👉 Del Río (*From the river*)   👉 Del Valle  (From the valley)   👉 Moreno (Dark-skinned or dark-haired)   👉 Blanco (White)   👉 Torres (Towers)   👉 Navarro  (From Navarra)   👉 Gallego (From Galicia)   👉 Campos (Fields) ## ## 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?*) 👉 *¿Cuál es tu apellido?*  (*What’s your last name?*) ### **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.   ### What other Spanish names do you know? 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