nombre
/ˈnombɾe/
The Spanish word nombre means name.
In formal contexts, you may encounter nombre completo to specifically request a person's full name or the more formal term denominación when referring to the act of identifying or naming something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain and Mexico, the phrase nombre de pila is used to refer to a given name, though it is often shortened to just nombre. In Argentina, the term nombre de bautismo is commonly used to refer to a person's given name.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnombɾe/
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, nombre can be a shorthand contraction of ¡no, hombre!, which is used to express disbelief or disagreement regardless of the gender of the person being spoken to.
- When people use the phrase no tiene nombre, they are often not saying a person lacks a name, but are instead using a common idiom to describe something so beautiful or so terrible that it is indescribable.
- The phrase nombre de pila refers to a given name by mentioning a pila, which is the stone basin or font used for baptismal water.
Examples in context
- ¿Cuál es su nombre, señor?What is your name, sir?
- Por favor, dígame su nombre completoPlease tell me your full name
- Hola, ¿me puedes decir tu nombre de pila?Hi, can you tell me your given name?
- Cuéntame, ¿tienes algún apodo o sobrenombre?Tell me, do you have any nickname or alias?
- Escribe tu nombre en el papel.Write your name on the paper.
- No recuerdo su nombre.I don't remember his name.
Example conversation
Daniel and María meet for the first time at a party.
- DanielHola, soy Daniel. ¿Cuál es tu nombre?Hi, I'm Daniel. What is your name?
- MaríaHola, Daniel. Mi nombre es María.Hi, Daniel. My name is María.
- DanielMucho gusto, María.Nice to meet you, María.
- MaríaIgualmente, Daniel.Likewise, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nombre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nombre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
