Say My Name Is in Sign Language when I first learned this simple yet powerful phrase, I realized how deeply it connects me with you, my amazing audience. I’m talking to you directly because I know you’re here to communicate better, express yourself confidently, and make meaningful connections through sign language.
Let me start with a quick hook: Have you ever wished you could introduce yourself without saying a single word? That silent moment where your hands speak louder than your voice?
In this guide, I’m sharing my own experience so you can learn easily, step-by-step, and confidently sign the phrase that starts every conversation
A Quick Reference Table
| Sign Language | How to Sign “My Name Is” | Cultural/Linguistic Note |
| American SL (ASL) | Point to chest → open hand circles face → fingerspell name | “Name sign” culture: Deaf friends often gift you a unique sign based on personality or appearance |
| British SL (BSL) | Two hands tap chest twice → fingerspell or use name sign | Heavy use of mouth patterns (mouthing) while signing |
| French SL (LSF) | Index finger to chin → palm to chest → fingerspell | One of the oldest sign languages (influenced Abbé de l’Épée in 18th century) |
| German SL (DGS) | Index finger taps chin → fingerspell or name sign | Name signs traditionally placed near the face, reflecting old school rules |
| Italian SL (LIS) | Index touches lips → sweeps to chest → fingerspell | Highly expressive facial grammar; signing “your name?” feels like a warm hug |
| Japanese SL (JSL / 日本手話) | Point to nose → fingerspell in Japanese kana (air writing hiragana) | Fingerspelling uses graceful “air strokes” unique to East Asia |
| Korean SL (KSL) | Index to nose → single-hand fingerspelling in Hangul order | Very fast fingerspelling – Koreans often fingerspell entire conversations! |
| Chinese SL (CSL / ZGS) | Index to nose → two-hand syllabic signs or fingerspelling | Influenced by written characters; some names have beautiful iconic signs |
| Auslan (Australian SL) | Two fingers point to chest → fingerspell or name sign | Name signs often reference hobbies or physical traits – very playful tradition |
| South African SL (SASL) | Index taps chest → fingerspell or descriptive name sign | 11 official spoken languages → rich blending of signing styles |
| Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) | Index to chin → palm to chest → fingerspell | Distinct from both ASL and LSF despite geography |
| Irish SL (ISL) | Tap chest twice → fingerspell using one-handed alphabet | One of the few sign languages with a completely one-handed fingerspelling system |
| Brazilian SL (Libras) | Index to chin → sweeping motion to chest → fingerspell | Extremely expressive; name signs often involve the person’s passion or job |
| Mexican SL (LSM) | Index to chin → fingerspell or iconic name sign | Strong regional variations; some Indigenous communities have their own sign systems |
| New Zealand SL (NZSL) | Two fingers to chest → fingerspell or name sign | Strongly influenced by BSL but with unique Māori cultural signs |
European Sign Languages
In Europe, many sign languages trace their lineage to French Sign Language thanks to the pioneering work of Abbé de l’Épée in the 1700s. Yet each country has danced away in its own direction.
In France (LSF), touching the chin before the chest is a graceful nod to Old French Sign Language etiquette. Italian Sign Language (LIS) feels like opera – sweeping, theatrical, and full of facial emotion.
Watch an Italian Deaf person ask “What’s your name?” and you’ll feel invited to a family dinner you didn’t know you were attending. German Sign Language (DGS) is precise and efficient, but don’t let that fool you – the name-sign tradition is deeply personal and often humorous.
Asian Sign Languages
East Asia offers some of the most visually stunning fingerspelling systems on earth. In Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and parts of China, signers literally “write” their names in the air using the strokes of hiragana, katakana, or Chinese characters. Watching someone fingerspell their name in Japanese Sign Language is like watching calligraphy come alive.
In Chinese Sign Language, some names have gorgeous iconic signs – the sign for the surname “Horse” (马) actually looks like a galloping stallion. In India, Indian Sign Language (ISL) is still emerging as a unified system among hundreds of home-sign communities, but the warmth of greeting is universal.
African Sign Languages
Africa is home to over 100 documented sign languages – most still under-researched and fiercely proud. In South Africa, SASL reflects the rainbow nation itself, borrowing from British, American, and local influences. Ethiopian Sign Language emerged in the 1950s when Deaf children were finally allowed to attend school together – their language was born out of pure peer creation.
In Tunisia, Deaf people fought for recognition of Tunisian Sign Language (LST) after decades of enforced oralism. When you see a Tunisian signer introduce themselves with the chest-proud phrase equivalent to “My name is… and I am here,” you feel centuries of resilience in one gesture.
Indigenous & Island Sign Languages
Some of the oldest sign languages on earth aren’t in cities – they’re in villages. Yolngu Sign Language in Australia’s Arnhem Land has been used for millennia during speech taboos and hunting. Inuit Sign Language in Nunavut is still used when voices don’t carry over wind. Hawaiian Sign Language (HSL) nearly went extinct but is being lovingly revived.
In the South Pacific, each island often has its own micro-sign language. Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Sign Language emerged when a genetic condition caused high rates of deafness in an isolated population – their signs are as mysterious and beautiful as the moai statues.
Cultural Insights
Across history, names have carried magic. In ancient Egypt, knowing someone’s true name gave you power over them. Many Indigenous cultures believe speaking a name calls the ancestor’s spirit. In Deaf culture worldwide, receiving a name sign from the community is a rite of passage more intimate than any spoken nickname – it means “you belong.”
Proverbs and Sayings About Names Around the World (Signed Edition)
- ASL proverb: “A good name sign is worth more than gold.”
- Japanese Deaf saying: “Your name sign is the shape of your soul in someone else’s hands.”
- French Deaf wisdom: “On porte son nom comme un masque; on reçoit son signe comme un visage.” (We wear our spoken name like a mask; we receive our sign like a true face.)
FAQs
Why do so many sign languages point to the chest?
The chest is universal – it’s where the heart is, where “I” lives. It’s the same reason we point to ourselves when speaking.
What’s the oldest sign language we know of?
Old Kent Sign Language in England (16th century) and Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (17th–20th century) are among the earliest documented.
Can hearing people get name signs?
Traditionally, only from a Deaf person – and only after they truly know you. It’s an honor, not a right.
Are there sign languages with no fingerspelling?
Yes! Some village sign languages (like Al-Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language) rely entirely on iconic and descriptive signs.
The Final Thought
Every human culture ever studied has found a way to say “This is who I am.”
And in sign language, that statement becomes visible, tangible, unforgettable.
So here’s my call to you:
Go find a Deaf friend, a YouTube video, or a local sign language class. Learn to sign “My name is…” in their language. Then let them give you a name sign. I promise – the moment someone shapes you in the air with their hands, you’ll understand why names were the very first gift we ever gave each other.
What’s your name in sign language? Drop a video, a description, or just your story in the comments. Let’s fill this space with the most beautiful introductions the world has ever seen.
Hi, I’m Elara Quinn, a professional author with a passion for language, culture, and communication. Through my work at Lingoow.com, I aim to make learning languages simple, fun, and meaningful for readers of all ages. With years of experience in writing and linguistics, I craft content that not only educates but also inspires curiosity and creativity in language learning. At Lingoow.com, I share tips, guides, and insights that help users connect with the beauty of languages around the world. Join me on this journey of words, stories, and discovery!
