What is the difference between ¿Cómo te llamas? and ¿Cuál es tu nombre?

Both ask for someone's name, but they use different grammatical structures. ¿Cómo te llamas? (literally, 'How do you call yourself?') uses the reflexive verb llamarse and is the most natural, everyday way to ask. ¿Cuál es tu nombre? (What is your name?) is slightly more direct and common on forms or when the question is purely informational rather than social.

When should you use su nombre instead of tu nombre?

Use su nombre when addressing someone with usted—the formal 'you' used with strangers, elders, professionals, or anyone in a position of authority. Tu nombre pairs with the informal tú. In most Latin American business settings and all interactions with older strangers, su nombre is the safer, more respectful choice.

How do Spanish naming conventions work?

In Spanish-speaking countries, a person typically has a nombre (first name), sometimes a segundo nombre (middle name), followed by two apellidos (surnames): the father's first surname and the mother's first surname. For example, in María López García, María is the nombre, López is the paternal surname, and García is the maternal surname.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

YOUR NAME in Spanish: TU NOMBRE

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

Tu Nombre · phrase · too NOHM-breh

The phrase 'your name' translates to tu nombre in informal Spanish and su nombre in formal contexts. Asking someone's name is one of the first interactions learners practice: ¿Cómo te llamas? (What's your name?, informal) and ¿Cómo se llama usted? (What's your name?, formal). The reflexive verb llamarse (to be called) is central to this exchange.

too NOHM-breh

Disculpa, ¿cuál es tu nombre?

Excuse me, what is your name?

Your Name in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for your name, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
tu nombre	your name	too NOHM-breh	Default, widely understood
su nombre	your name		formal — usted form
¿Cómo te llamas?	your name		phrase: What is your name?

How Native Speakers Use Tu Nombre

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Informal introduction

Hola, ¿cómo te llamas? — Me llamo Sofía.

Hi, what's your name? — My name is Sofía.

¿Cómo te llamas? is the most common way to ask for someone's name casually.

Formal setting

Buenas tardes, ¿me podría dar su nombre completo, por favor?

Good afternoon, could you give me your full name, please?

Su nombre uses the usted form appropriate for offices and formal interactions.

Filling out a form

Escribe tu nombre y apellido en la primera línea del formulario.

Write your name and last name on the first line of the form.

Nombre y apellido is the standard pairing for first and last name.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Tu Nombre

Confusing tú (pronoun) with tu (possessive)

Incorrect: ¿Cuál es tú nombre? (with accent)

Correct: ¿Cuál es tu nombre? (no accent)

Tú with an accent is the subject pronoun meaning 'you.' Tu without an accent is the possessive adjective meaning 'your.' In tu nombre (your name), no accent is needed because it modifies the noun.

Using nombre for last name

Incorrect: ¿Cuál es tu nombre? — García.

Correct: ¿Cuál es tu apellido? — García.

Nombre refers to the first (given) name. Apellido is the word for last name or surname. Answering with a surname when asked for your nombre would cause confusion in official or formal situations.

Lock in Your Name Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Tu Nombre used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using tu nombre in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Disculpa, ¿cuál es tu nombre? while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Your Name in Spanish

What is the difference between ¿Cómo te llamas? and ¿Cuál es tu nombre?: Both ask for someone's name, but they use different grammatical structures. ¿Cómo te llamas? (literally, 'How do you call yourself?') uses the reflexive verb llamarse and is the most natural, everyday way to ask. ¿Cuál es tu nombre? (What is your name?) is slightly more direct and common on forms or when the question is purely informational rather than social.
When should you use su nombre instead of tu nombre?: Use su nombre when addressing someone with usted—the formal 'you' used with strangers, elders, professionals, or anyone in a position of authority. Tu nombre pairs with the informal tú. In most Latin American business settings and all interactions with older strangers, su nombre is the safer, more respectful choice.
How do Spanish naming conventions work?: In Spanish-speaking countries, a person typically has a nombre (first name), sometimes a segundo nombre (middle name), followed by two apellidos (surnames): the father's first surname and the mother's first surname. For example, in María López García, María is the nombre, López is the paternal surname, and García is the maternal surname.