How To Say What Is Your Name In French

By • September 11, 2012 • Updated January 21, 2022

Comment vous appelez-vous?

In this lesson you will learn how to ask what is your name in French (Comment vous appelez-vous?). There are several ways of asking this question and they vary depending on whether you are using the familiar or polite form. Keep reading.

To ask a stranger or somebody who’s older their name you ask:

  • Comment vous appelez-vous? What is your name? (formal)

If the person is your age or younger you may ask:

  • Comment tu t’appelles? What is your name? (informal)

There is an easier way of passing somebody their name. You may also ask:

  • Quel est votre nom? What is your name? (formal)

This format is also for somebody who is older than yourself or a stranger. This literally means what is your name.

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If you’re speaking to a peer to somebody who’s younger you may simply ask:

  • Quel est ton nom? What is your name? (informal)

There is one last way of asking somebody their name. This format is very informal and should only be used with close peers or children.

  • C’est quoi ton nom? (literally: “It’s what, your name?)

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More resources:

If you've found this post useful you might want to considering looking at our post covering the best apps for learning French. We've looked a total 33 apps and have written comprehensive reviews of Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur and FrenchPod101.

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