How do you say my name is in Spanish?

Me llamo [name] is the most common. Alternatives: Mi nombre es [name] (slightly formal), Soy [name] (casual). Me llamo is the standard introduction.

Why is it me llamo and not yo llamo?

Llamarse is a reflexive verb (to call oneself). The reflexive pronoun me (myself) is required. Me llamo literally means 'I call myself'. Without me, llamo means 'I call' (someone else).

What's the difference between me llamo and mi nombre es?

Both mean my name is. Me llamo is more common in conversation. Mi nombre es is slightly more formal, common in introductions, on forms, and in writing. Both are correct.

How do I introduce others in Spanish?

Se llama [name] = his/her name is [name]. Se llaman [names] = their names are. Te presento a [name] = I introduce [name] to you. Este es mi amigo [name] = this is my friend [name].

What do I say after exchanging names?

Mucho gusto (pleased to meet you) or Encantado / encantada (charmed, match your own gender). Response: Igualmente (likewise) or también encantado / encantada (also charmed).

Spanish grammar · Beginner

How to Say My Name Is in Spanish: Me Llamo and More

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Me llamo [name] = My name is [name] (literally 'I call myself'). Alternatives: Mi nombre es [name] (My name is), Soy [name] (I am). Me llamo is most common in conversation.

Me llamo Ana.

My name is Ana.

What it is

Me llamo [name] is the standard way to say My name is. Literally: I call myself. Alternatives: Mi nombre es [name] (My name is), Soy [name] (I am). Me llamo uses the reflexive verb llamarse.

Me llamo María (My name is María) → Mucho gusto (Pleased to meet you).

How to spot it

Default: Me llamo [name]. Alternatives: Mi nombre es [name], Soy [name]. Casual: Soy [name]. For asking back: ¿Y tú? / ¿Y usted?

Me llamo Ana. — My name is Ana.
Soy Pedro. — I'm Pedro.
Mi nombre es Carmen. — My name is Carmen.

Me llamo is the most common in spoken Spanish. Mi nombre es is slightly more formal. Soy is casual.

How to Say My Name Is in Spanish Quick Reference

Introducing yourself in Spanish

Expression	Meaning	Use
Me llamo [name]	My name is	Most common (literally 'I call myself')
Mi nombre es [name]	My name is	Slightly formal
Soy [name]	I am	Casual, short
¿Cómo te llamas?	What's your name?	Informal
¿Cómo se llama usted?	What's your name?	Formal
Mucho gusto	Pleased to meet you	After exchange
Encantado / encantada	Charmed (delighted)	Formal pleased to meet you
Igualmente	Likewise	Response to mucho gusto

Common How to Say My Name Is in Spanish Examples in Spanish

Introducing yourself in Spanish:

Basic Self-Introduction

Me llamo Ana.: My name is Ana.
Hola, me llamo Carlos.: Hi, my name is Carlos.
Soy María.: I'm María.
Mi nombre es Juan.: My name is Juan.
Me llamo Sofía, ¿y tú?: My name is Sofía, and you?

Me llamo is the most common. Soy is casual / short. Mi nombre es is slightly formal.

Adding More Info

Me llamo Ana y soy de México.: My name is Ana and I'm from Mexico.
Soy María, tengo veinte años.: I'm María, I'm twenty.
Me llamo Pablo, soy estudiante.: My name is Pablo, I'm a student.
Hola, soy David, encantado.: Hi, I'm David, pleased to meet you.
Me llamo Lucía, mucho gusto.: My name is Lucía, pleased to meet you.

After your name, add origin (soy de + country), age (tengo + years), profession (soy + job).

Asking and Answering

¿Cómo te llamas? Me llamo Pedro.: What's your name? My name is Pedro.
¿Cómo se llama usted? Me llamo Sra. García.: What's your name? My name is Mrs. García.
Mucho gusto, soy Ana. Igualmente.: Pleased to meet you, I'm Ana. Likewise.
Encantado, me llamo Luis. Encantada.: Pleased, I'm Luis. Pleased (feminine).

After exchange of names, say mucho gusto or encantado/encantada. Response: igualmente or también encantado/encantada.

Family / Pet / Object Names

Mi hermano se llama Diego.: My brother's name is Diego.
Mi perro se llama Toby.: My dog's name is Toby.
Mis padres se llaman Juan y Marta.: My parents' names are Juan and Marta.
¿Cómo se llama tu novia?: What's your girlfriend's name?

Use llamarse for any name introduction. For other people / pets / things: se llama (singular), se llaman (plural).

How to Introduce Yourself

Me Llamo Uses Reflexive Llamarse

Me llamo comes from llamarse (to call oneself). Me = myself, llamo = I call. Literally: I call myself [name]. This is the standard structure for names in Spanish.

Me llamo Ana. Te llamas Carlos. Se llama María.

My / your / his name is...

Llamarse = reflexive name verb.

Soy [Name] Is Casual

Soy [name] (I am [name]) is casual and short. Use in informal contexts. Avoid in formal first meetings (use me llamo or mi nombre es instead).

Soy Pedro.

I'm Pedro.

Soy = casual short form.

Mi Nombre Es Is Slightly Formal

Mi nombre es (My name is) is slightly more formal than me llamo. Common in introductions, on forms, in writing.

Mi nombre es María Hernández.

My name is María Hernández.

Mi nombre es = slightly formal.

Use Mucho Gusto After Exchange

After exchanging names, say mucho gusto (pleased to meet you) or encantado / encantada (charmed, gender-matched). Response: igualmente (likewise) or also encantado / encantada.

Mucho gusto, me llamo Juan. Igualmente.

Pleased to meet you, I'm Juan. Likewise.

Mucho gusto / encantado after names.

Common Mistakes with How to Say My Name Is in Spanish

Incorrect: Yo llamo Ana. — My name is Ana.

Correct: Me llamo Ana. — My name is Ana.

Llamarse is reflexive. The me (reflexive pronoun) is required. Without me, llamo means 'I call' (someone), which is different.

Incorrect: Mi nombre es Juan. (everywhere) — My name is Juan.

Correct: Me llamo Juan. — My name is Juan.

Mi nombre es is correct but less natural in casual speech. Me llamo is more idiomatic in conversation. Mi nombre es is fine for formal or written contexts.

How to Say My Name Is in Spanish FAQs

How do you say my name is in Spanish?: Me llamo [name] is the most common. Alternatives: Mi nombre es [name] (slightly formal), Soy [name] (casual). Me llamo is the standard introduction.
Why is it me llamo and not yo llamo?: Llamarse is a reflexive verb (to call oneself). The reflexive pronoun me (myself) is required. Me llamo literally means 'I call myself'. Without me, llamo means 'I call' (someone else).
What's the difference between me llamo and mi nombre es?: Both mean my name is. Me llamo is more common in conversation. Mi nombre es is slightly more formal, common in introductions, on forms, and in writing. Both are correct.
How do I introduce others in Spanish?: Se llama [name] = his/her name is [name]. Se llaman [names] = their names are. Te presento a [name] = I introduce [name] to you. Este es mi amigo [name] = this is my friend [name].
What do I say after exchanging names?: Mucho gusto (pleased to meet you) or Encantado / encantada (charmed, match your own gender). Response: Igualmente (likewise) or también encantado / encantada (also charmed).