How to Say “What’s Your Name?” in French

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comment vous vous appelez ?
To ask what's your name? Politely in French, say comment vous vous appelez ? With a friend, a child or a peer, use Comment tu t'appelles? instead.
comment vous vous appelez ? is the polite way to ask a stranger, a superior or anyone you address formally for their name. For a very polite request, you can say Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me dire votre nom, s'il vous plaît? Add madame or monsieur at the end, as in Comment vous appelez-vous, madame?, to address a woman or a man.

What does it mean word for word?

Word for word, comment vous vous appelez ? means how do you call yourself.

Which one should you use?

Comment vous appelez-vous? is the same polite question with the verb placed before the subject, which sounds a little more formal. comment tu t'appelles ? is the informal version for children, peers and close friends.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

comment vous vous appelez ? suits formal settings and conversations with strangers or superiors. Comment tu t'appelles? is informal.

How does it change in a sentence?

The question uses the reflexive verb meaning to call oneself, in its polite or plural form. That is why vous appears twice, once as the subject and once as the reflexive pronoun.

What mistakes should you avoid?

Do not translate the English word for word as Comment est votre nom ? It is not a natural way to ask for a name in French.

When do people say it?

People usually answer with Je m'appelle followed by their name.

Did you know?

  • While vous is used for politeness here, it was historically the plural form of 'you', meaning the formal address treats the individual as if they were a group of people to show respect.
  • The word vous in this phrase is a distant relative of the Russian word вы (vy) and the Italian word voi, as all three descend from the same ancient root for 'you'.
  • Because comment vous vous appelez ? literally means 'how do you call yourself', the French language conceptualizes naming as a reflexive action of labeling oneself.

Examples in context

  • Excusez-moi, comment vous vous appelez ?
    Excuse me, what is your name?

Example conversation

Hugo is meeting Emma for the first time at a professional networking event.

  1. Hugo

    Bonjour, comment vous vous appelez ?
    Hello, what is your name?
  2. Emma

    Je m'appelle Emma. Et vous ?
    My name is Emma. And you?
  3. Hugo

    Moi, je m'appelle Hugo.
    Me, my name is Hugo.
  4. Emma

    Enchantée de vous rencontrer, Hugo.
    Nice to meet you, Hugo.

Sources

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Tanya Mikayla
Tanya MikaylaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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