How to Ask “What’s Your Name?” and Say Yours

When you're meeting someone for the first time in a German-speaking country, knowing how to ask their name is one of the most useful skills you can learn. German, like many languages, has both formal and informal ways to ask someone's name. Here’s a simple guide to get you started.

Formal vs. Informal: What’s the Difference?

German makes a clear distinction between formal and informal speech. Use:

• Formal when speaking to adults you don’t know, in business or in professional settings.

• Informal with friends, children, family and people your own age in casual situations.

1. Formal Ways to Ask Someone’s Name

✅ Wie heißen Sie?

Meaning: What is your name? (formal)

This is the most common polite way to ask.

Example answer:

• Ich heiße Anna Müller. – My name is Anna Müller.

• Mein Name ist Anna Müller. – My name is Anna Müller.

✅ Was ist Ihr Name?

Meaning: What is your name? (more direct, still formal)

Used in official settings like forms, hotels or security checks.

Example answer:

• Mein Name ist Tobias Klein.

2. Informal Ways to Ask Someone’s Name

✅ Wie heißt du?

Meaning: What is your name? (informal)

Used with friends, children, or peers.

Example answer:

• Ich heiße Ben. – My name is Ben.

• Ich bin Ben. – I’m Ben.

3. Asking “Who are you?”

You might also hear:

• Wer sind Sie? – Who are you? (formal)

• Wer bist du? – Who are you? (informal)

These are more direct and can sometimes sound abrupt if not used in the right context – for example, if you’re surprised or clarifying identity.

Example answers:

• Ich bin Frau Schmitt. – I’m Mrs. Schmitt.

• Ich bin dein Lehrer. – I’m your teacher.

Questions

Key Grammar Tips

• “Ich heiße...” = “I am called...”

• “Mein Name ist...” = “My name is...”

• “Ich bin...” = “I am...” (can be followed by name, job or relation)

Quiz: Asking and Answering Names in German

Part 1: Choose the Correct Question

1. How do you say "What is your name?" formally in German?
A) Wie heißt du?
B) Was ist dein Name?
C) Wie heißen Sie?
D) Wer bist du?

✅ Correct Answer: C – Wie heißen Sie?

2. What is the informal way to ask someone's name?
A) Wer sind Sie?
B) Wie heißt du?
C) Was ist Ihr Name?
D) Wie heißen Sie?

✅ Correct Answer: B – Wie heißt du?

3. Which one is grammatically incorrect?
A) Ich heiße Ben.
B) Mein heißt ist Anna.
C) Mein Name ist Anna.
D) Ich bin Tobias.

✅ Correct Answer: B – Mein heißt ist Anna. is incorrect.

Part 2: Fill in the Blanks

4. Translate and fill in: "______ ist Ihr Name?" (What is your name? – formal)
✅ Answer: Was

5. Respond in German: "Wie heißt du?"
✅ Example Answer: Ich heiße Mia.

6. Respond in German: "Wer bist du?"
✅ Example Answer: Ich bin Jonas.

Part 3: Match the Phrase

✅ Correct Matching:

• A → 2

• B → 1

• C → 3