How do you say it in Italian?
Italians love to complicate things (especially when it comes to bureaucracy), so the way you ask what’s your name in Italian will depend on the degree of familiarity and the age difference between you and your conversation partner.
Come ti chiami?
What’s your name? (casual)
Literally: How do you call yourself?
Chiamarsi, to call yourself, is a stinky verb. It’s a very common verb and it’s one of the first verbs the Italian student will encounter in class. Guess what? It’s not the easiest verb to learn because it’s a reflexive verb.
So don’t worry if the literal translation confuses you. This is normal.
When would you use the casual way of asking what’s your name in Italian? If you’re an adult and the person you’re talking to is a child, go ahead and ask. It is also a common way to greet a new colleague.
However, don’t use this on elderly people and adults you’ve just met, as it’s considered rude.
Come si chiama?
What’s Your name? (formal)
Literally: How do you call Yourself?
This form is rare, but it does exist. Why is it rarely used? In formal scenarios, people will most likely introduce themselves to you before you can start asking questions.
You don’t need to ask for their name because they will give it to you before you can ask.
Piacere, Mario. Nice to meet you, I’m Mario.
(No, Mario isn’t really a common name, but it’s the first one that comes to mind…)
Interestingly, this form could also be translated as What’s his/her name?. We’ll see why in a moment!
Even more ways to ask what’s your name in Italian
Qual è il tuo nome?
What’s your name? (casual)
Literally: Which is your name?
Qual è il Suo nome?
What’s Your name? (formal)
These are less common ways to ask what’s your name in Italian than the ones we just learned, but they’re still worth mentioning.
Culture shock!
You see, Italians don’t ask what your name is, they ask which your name is. After all, your parents chose your name from a pool of limited (albeit plentiful) choices…
Come fai di nome?
What’s your name? (informal)
Literally: How do you do of name?
Come fai di cognome?
What’s your surname? (informal)
Literally: How do you do of surname?
Nome means name. Cognome means surname. Both of these forms are informal, so don’t use them with people you barely know.
More free Italian resources
You might want to keep learning Italian online with these free Italian resources:
Aiuta Lingookies con un 👍!
❤️ If you liked this lesson on how to say what’s your name in Italian, share it with your friends!