How to sign
Name in ASL
Name is two H (or U) handshapes, one tapping on top of the other twice. It's used in 'my name is' and 'what is your name.'
- Single sign
- Two hands
- Handshape: H hands (index and middle fingers extended)
- In front of the chest
- First Signs
- Fingerspelling
How to sign name
- 1
Make an H handshape with both hands: index and middle fingers extended together.
- 2
Rest the dominant hand's fingers across the top of the other hand's fingers, forming an X.
- 3
Tap twice.
Common mistakes
- Tapping once. Two small taps is the noun NAME; a single firm contact can read as the verb 'to name.'
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with Name. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “My name is Max.”
Questions about “Name”
MY (flat hand on chest) then NAME, then fingerspell your name. There's no sign for 'is.' See the MY-NAME-IS phrase page.
Guide
Greetings
How to say hello, goodbye, good morning, and nice to meet you in ASL, plus the etiquette of getting someone's attention before you sign.
From the blog
The First 50 ASL Signs to Learn (and Why These 50)
A teacher-picked starter vocabulary: greetings, replies, pronouns, question words, and feelings that let you hold a real first conversation. Every sign on video.