nome
/ˈnõ.mi/masculine
The English word "name" is translated into Portuguese as nome.
nome is a masculine noun used to indicate a particular person, place, class or thing. When asking someone for their name, it is more natural to use the structure Qual é o seu nome? (Which is your name?) rather than a literal translation of "What is your name?"
Meaning: word or phrase indicating a particular person, place, class or thing (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of nome is nomes.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈnõ.mi/.
Did you know?
- Portuguese speakers often use the phrase dar nome aos bois, which literally means 'to give names to the oxen', to mean calling someone out or specifying exactly who is responsible for something.
- While nome refers to the identity itself, the word apelido is used in Brazil to mean 'nickname', whereas in Portugal it often means 'surname'.
- The word nome shares a common ancestor with the English word 'name' and the Greek 'onoma', both descending from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
Examples in context
- Meu nome é Tom.My name is Tom.This sentence shows how to state your name using nome.Tatoeba #1318805 by bufo, translation #1173265 by cntrational
- Meu nome é Jim.My name is Jim.Tatoeba #6917195 by Bran, translation #4010269 by falekseev
- Eu sei seu nome.I know your name.This sentence shows how to say you know someone's name using nome.Tatoeba #393628 by brauliobezerra, translation #16887 by fucongcong
- 1283 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Felipe are looking at a menu in a restaurant.
- CamilaFelipe, você sabe o nome deste prato?Felipe, do you know the name of this dish?
- FelipeNão, o nome não está no menu.No, the name is not on the menu.
- CamilaVou perguntar o nome para o garçom.I will ask the waiter for the name.
- FelipeBoa ideia, Camila.Good idea, Camila.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “name” translations and entries nome, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nome, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
