Mastering “My Name Is” in French: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to introduce yourself is one of the first and most crucial steps in mastering any language. In French, saying “My name is” involves understanding basic grammar, pronunciation, and cultural nuances.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to help you confidently introduce yourself in French, covering various forms, contexts, and common mistakes. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to make a great first impression.

This article is designed for anyone learning French, from absolute beginners to intermediate learners looking to refine their skills. We’ll break down the grammar, provide numerous examples, and offer practical exercises to solidify your understanding.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to introduce yourself fluently and accurately in French, opening doors to countless opportunities for communication and connection.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition: Saying “My Name Is” in French
3. Structural Breakdown
   • “Je m’appelle”
   • “Je suis”
   • “Mon nom est”
4. Types and Categories
   • Formal Introductions
   • Informal Introductions
   • Introducing Others
5. Examples
   • “Je m’appelle” Examples
   • “Je suis” Examples
   • “Mon nom est” Examples
   • Formal Introduction Examples
   • Informal Introduction Examples
6. Usage Rules
   • Agreement in Gender and Number
   • Pronunciation Tips
   • Register Considerations (Formal vs. Informal)
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
   • Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
   • Exercise 2: Translation
   • Exercise 3: Dialogue Completion
9. Advanced Topics
   • Adding Additional Information
   • Idiomatic Expressions Related to Names
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition: Saying “My Name Is” in French

The phrase “My name is” in French can be expressed in several ways, each with its own nuances and levels of formality. The most common ways are: “Je m’appelle,” “Je suis,” and “Mon nom est.” These phrases serve the same basic function—introducing yourself—but their usage varies depending on the context and the relationship between the speakers.

“Je m’appelle” is arguably the most frequently used and versatile option. It literally translates to “I call myself” and is suitable for both formal and informal settings. “Je suis” translates to “I am” and is also widely used, although it can be perceived as slightly more formal than “Je m’appelle.” “Mon nom est” means “My name is” and is generally considered the most formal of the three. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective communication in French.

Structural Breakdown

Each of the phrases used to say “My name is” in French has a distinct grammatical structure. Understanding these structures will help you use them correctly and confidently.

“Je m’appelle”

“Je m’appelle” is a reflexive verb construction. It’s derived from the verb “s’appeler,” which means “to call oneself.” Here’s a breakdown of the structure:

• Je: Pronoun meaning “I”
• me: Reflexive pronoun, which changes depending on the subject (me, te, se, nous, vous, se)
• appelle: Conjugated form of the verb “appeler” (to call) in the first person singular

Therefore, “Je m’appelle” literally translates to “I call myself.” It’s a common and natural way to introduce yourself in French.

“Je suis”

“Je suis” is a simpler construction, using the verb “être” (to be). The structure is straightforward:

• Je: Pronoun meaning “I”
• suis: Conjugated form of the verb “être” (to be) in the first person singular

Following “Je suis,” you simply state your name. For example, “Je suis Marie” (I am Marie). While direct, it’s a perfectly acceptable and often-used way to introduce yourself.

“Mon nom est”

“Mon nom est” is the most literal translation of “My name is.” The structure is as follows:

• Mon: Possessive adjective meaning “My” (masculine singular)
• nom: Noun meaning “name” (masculine)
• est: Conjugated form of the verb “être” (to be) in the third person singular (but referring back to “mon nom”)

This phrase is more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to “Je m’appelle” or “Je suis.”

Types and Categories

Understanding the context in which you’re introducing yourself is crucial. The level of formality will dictate which phrase is most appropriate.

Formal Introductions

In formal settings, such as business meetings, academic conferences, or when meeting someone older or in a position of authority, it’s best to use “Mon nom est” or “Je suis,” especially if followed by your title or last name. This shows respect and professionalism. Using “Je m’appelle” is acceptable but may sound slightly less formal in some contexts.

Informal Introductions

In informal settings, such as meeting new friends, at a party, or in casual conversations, “Je m’appelle” is the most common and appropriate choice. “Je suis” is also acceptable, but “Mon nom est” might sound overly formal in these situations.

Introducing Others

When introducing others, you would use phrases like “Voici,” “Je vous présente,” or “C’est.” For example:

• “Voici Marie.” (This is Marie.)
• “Je vous présente Pierre.” (I present to you Pierre.)
• “C’est Sophie.” (This is Sophie.)

The choice of phrase depends on the level of formality and the context of the introduction.

Examples

Here are several examples of how to say “My name is” in French, categorized by the phrase used and the level of formality.

“Je m’appelle” Examples

The following table provides examples of using “Je m’appelle” in various contexts:

French	English	Context
Je m’appelle Sophie.	My name is Sophie.	General introduction
Je m’appelle Jean, et je suis étudiant.	My name is Jean, and I am a student.	Introducing yourself and your profession
Bonjour, je m’appelle Marie. Enchantée.	Hello, my name is Marie. Pleased to meet you.	Greeting and introduction
Je m’appelle Pierre Dupont.	My name is Pierre Dupont.	Formal introduction with last name
Salut, je m’appelle Léa!	Hi, my name is Léa!	Informal greeting
Je m’appelle Antoine et j’adore le français.	My name is Antoine and I love French.	Sharing your name and a personal detail.
Je m’appelle Isabelle, comment allez-vous?	My name is Isabelle, how are you?	Introducing yourself and asking how someone is doing.
Je m’appelle Thomas, ravi de vous rencontrer.	My name is Thomas, delighted to meet you.	Expressing pleasure in meeting someone.
Je m’appelle Claire, et je suis ici pour la conférence.	My name is Claire, and I am here for the conference.	Introducing yourself at a conference.
Je m’appelle Nicolas, enchanté de faire votre connaissance.	My name is Nicolas, pleased to make your acquaintance.	A formal way of saying you’re pleased to meet someone.
Je m’appelle Juliette, et je suis nouvelle dans le groupe.	My name is Juliette, and I am new to the group.	Introducing yourself as a newcomer.
Je m’appelle Sébastien, et je viens de Paris.	My name is Sébastien, and I am from Paris.	Sharing your name and origin.
Je m’appelle Manon, c’est un plaisir de vous connaître.	My name is Manon, it’s a pleasure to know you.	Expressing pleasure in knowing someone.
Je m’appelle Lucas, et je suis passionné de musique.	My name is Lucas, and I am passionate about music.	Sharing your name and a passion.
Je m’appelle Chloé, et je travaille ici.	My name is Chloé, and I work here.	Introducing yourself in a work context.
Je m’appelle Gabriel et j’aime beaucoup voyager.	My name is Gabriel and I really like to travel.	Sharing your name and a hobby.
Je m’appelle Emma, et je suis étudiante en médecine.	My name is Emma, and I am a medical student.	Introducing yourself as a student in a specific field.
Je m’appelle Maxime, et je suis en vacances ici.	My name is Maxime, and I am on vacation here.	Sharing your name and the reason for your presence.
Je m’appelle Camille, et je suis ravie de vous aider.	My name is Camille, and I am delighted to help you.	Offering assistance while introducing yourself.
Je m’appelle Arthur, et je suis le responsable du projet.	My name is Arthur, and I am the project manager.	Introducing yourself with your job title.
Je m’appelle Adèle, et je suis venue avec mon ami.	My name is Adèle, and I came with my friend.	Introducing yourself and mentioning who you are with.
Je m’appelle Valentin, et je suis musicien.	My name is Valentin, and I am a musician.	Sharing your name and profession.
Je m’appelle Clara, et je suis là pour vous aider.	My name is Clara, and I am here to help you.	Offering help when introducing yourself.
Je m’appelle Hugo, et je suis très content de vous rencontrer.	My name is Hugo, and I am very happy to meet you.	Expressing happiness upon meeting someone.

“Je suis” Examples

The following table provides examples of using “Je suis” in various contexts:

French	English	Context
Je suis Paul.	I am Paul.	Simple introduction
Je suis Madame Dubois.	I am Mrs. Dubois.	Formal introduction with title and last name
Bonjour, je suis Marc.	Hello, I am Marc.	Greeting and introduction
Je suis Julie, l’assistante du directeur.	I am Julie, the director’s assistant.	Introducing yourself and your role
Je suis professeur de français.	I am a French teacher.	Introducing your profession. Note: This is a general statement, not specifically saying “My name is.”
Je suis Élodie, et je suis ravie de vous rencontrer ici.	I am Élodie, and I am delighted to meet you here.	Expressing pleasure in meeting someone at a specific location.
Je suis Arnaud, et je suis un ami de Sophie.	I am Arnaud, and I am a friend of Sophie.	Introducing yourself as someone’s friend.
Je suis Sandrine, et je suis venue avec Pierre.	I am Sandrine, and I came with Pierre.	Introducing yourself and mentioning who you are with.
Je suis Damien, et je suis le nouveau chef de projet.	I am Damien, and I am the new project manager.	Introducing yourself with your new role.
Je suis Coralie, et je suis étudiante en art.	I am Coralie, and I am an art student.	Introducing yourself as a student in a specific field.
Je suis Quentin, et je suis passionné par la photographie.	I am Quentin, and I am passionate about photography.	Sharing your name and a passion.
Je suis Mélanie, et je suis là pour vous aider avec le logiciel.	I am Mélanie, and I am here to help you with the software.	Offering assistance with a specific task.
Je suis Romain, et je suis en voyage d’affaires.	I am Romain, and I am on a business trip.	Sharing your name and the reason for your trip.
Je suis Sabrina, et je suis très contente de vous connaître.	I am Sabrina, and I am very happy to know you.	Expressing happiness upon meeting someone.
Je suis Vincent, et je suis le guide touristique.	I am Vincent, and I am the tour guide.	Introducing yourself with your profession.
Je suis Aurore, et je suis nouvelle ici.	I am Aurore, and I am new here.	Introducing yourself as a newcomer.
Je suis Florian, et je suis venu pour la réunion.	I am Florian, and I came for the meeting.	Sharing your name and the reason for your presence.
Je suis Angélique, et je suis disponible pour répondre à vos questions.	I am Angélique, and I am available to answer your questions.	Offering to answer questions while introducing yourself.
Je suis Benoît, et je suis le chef cuisinier.	I am Benoît, and I am the head chef.	Introducing yourself with your job title.
Je suis Mathilde, et je suis venue avec ma famille.	I am Mathilde, and I came with my family.	Introducing yourself and mentioning who you are with.
Je suis Maxime, et je suis musicien.	I am Maxime, and I am a musician.	Sharing your name and profession.
Je suis Léa, et je suis là pour vous assister.	I am Léa, and I am here to assist you.	Offering assistance when introducing yourself.
Je suis Hugo, et je suis très heureux de vous rencontrer.	I am Hugo, and I am very happy to meet you.	Expressing happiness upon meeting someone.
Je suis Chloé, et je travaille ici comme designer.	I am Chloé, and I work here as a designer.	Introducing yourself with your job.

“Mon nom est” Examples

The following table provides examples of using “Mon nom est” in various contexts:

French	English	Context
Mon nom est Isabelle Moreau.	My name is Isabelle Moreau.	Formal introduction
Bonjour, mon nom est Monsieur Dubois.	Hello, my name is Mr. Dubois.	Very formal introduction with title and last name
Mon nom est Pierre, enchanté.	My name is Pierre, pleased to meet you.	Polite introduction
Mon nom est Sophie Martin, je suis la directrice.	My name is Sophie Martin, I am the director.	Introducing yourself with your position
Mon nom est Jean-Luc.	My name is Jean-Luc.	Formal, simple introduction
Bonjour, mon nom est Madame Lefèvre.	Hello, my name is Mrs. Lefèvre.	Very formal greeting with title and last name.
Mon nom est Antoine, et je suis ici pour l’entretien.	My name is Antoine, and I am here for the interview.	Introducing yourself at an interview.
Mon nom est Claire Dupont, et je suis avocate.	My name is Claire Dupont, and I am a lawyer.	Introducing yourself and your profession formally.
Mon nom est Sébastien, et je suis le conférencier.	My name is Sébastien, and I am the speaker.	Introducing yourself as a speaker.
Mon nom est Juliette, et je suis ravie de vous accueillir.	My name is Juliette, and I am delighted to welcome you.	Formally welcoming someone.
Mon nom est Nicolas, et je suis responsable du département.	My name is Nicolas, and I am the head of the department.	Introducing yourself with your department responsibility.
Mon nom est Manon, et je suis venue pour la réunion annuelle.	My name is Manon, and I came for the annual meeting.	Sharing your reason for being at the meeting.
Mon nom est Lucas, et je suis fier de vous rencontrer.	My name is Lucas, and I am proud to meet you.	Expressing pride in meeting someone.
Mon nom est Chloé, et je suis ici pour vous aider avec les documents.	My name is Chloé, and I am here to help you with the documents.	Offering help with documents.
Mon nom est Gabriel, et je suis le nouveau directeur.	My name is Gabriel, and I am the new director.	Introducing yourself in a new role.
Mon nom est Emma, et je suis étudiante en droit.	My name is Emma, and I am a law student.	Introducing yourself as a law student.
Mon nom est Maxime, et je suis en mission pour l’entreprise.	My name is Maxime, and I am on a mission for the company.	Introducing yourself while on a company mission.
Mon nom est Camille, et je suis là pour répondre à vos questions.	My name is Camille, and I am here to answer your questions.	Offering to answer questions.
Mon nom est Arthur, et je suis le coordinateur de l’événement.	My name is Arthur, and I am the coordinator of the event.	Introducing yourself as the event coordinator.
Mon nom est Adèle, et je suis venue avec mon collègue.	My name is Adèle, and I came with my colleague.	Mentioning who you are with.
Mon nom est Valentin, et je suis consultant.	My name is Valentin, and I am a consultant.	Sharing your profession.
Mon nom est Clara, et je suis là pour vous assister.	My name is Clara, and I am here to assist you.	Offering assistance.
Mon nom est Hugo, et je suis honoré de vous rencontrer.	My name is Hugo, and I am honored to meet you.	Expressing honor in meeting someone.
Mon nom est Léa, et je suis la responsable des ventes.	My name is Léa, and I am the sales manager.	Introducing yourself with your job title.

Formal Introduction Examples

French	English	Context
Bonjour, Madame. Mon nom est Jean Dubois, directeur des ventes.	Good morning, Madam. My name is Jean Dubois, Sales Director.	Meeting a client for the first time.
Je vous présente Monsieur Martin, le nouveau professeur de mathématiques.	I present to you Mr. Martin, the new mathematics teacher.	Introducing a new teacher at a school event.
Enchanté, je suis Marie Lefèvre, de la société XYZ.	Pleased to meet you, I am Marie Lefèvre, from the XYZ company.	Networking at a business conference.
Mon nom est Isabelle Moreau, et je suis ravie de faire votre connaissance, Monsieur Dupont.	My name is Isabelle Moreau, and I am delighted to meet you, Mr. Dupont.	Meeting a business partner for the first time.
C’est un honneur de vous rencontrer, je suis Pierre Richard, le PDG de l’entreprise.	It’s an honor to meet you, I am Pierre Richard, the CEO of the company.	Meeting an important investor.

Informal Introduction Examples

French	English	Context
Salut! Je m’appelle Sophie, et toi?	Hi! My name is Sophie, and you?	Meeting someone at a party.
Coucou, je suis Marc, enchanté!	Hey, I’m Marc, nice to meet you!	Making friends at a café.
Moi, c’est Léa. Quoi de neuf?	I’m Léa. What’s new?	Chatting with someone at a concert.
Salut, je m’appelle Pierre. Tu viens souvent ici?	Hi, my name is Pierre. Do you come here often?	Starting a conversation at a bar.
Hey! Je suis Chloé, la copine de Marie.	Hey! I’m Chloé, Marie’s friend.	Meeting someone through a mutual friend.

Usage Rules

Using the correct phrase to say “My name is” involves understanding a few key grammar and cultural rules.

Agreement in Gender and Number

While the phrases themselves don’t change based on gender or number, pay attention to adjectives or other descriptors you might add after introducing yourself. For example, if you say “Je suis étudiant(e)” (I am a student), the adjective “étudiant” changes to “étudiante” if you are female.

Pronunciation Tips

Pay attention to the pronunciation of each phrase:

• Je m’appelle: The “e” in “Je” is often silent, so it sounds like “Shuh mah-pell.”
• Je suis: Pronounced “Zhuh swee.”
• Mon nom est: Pronounced “Mohn nom ay.”

Practice these pronunciations to ensure you sound natural and fluent.

Register Considerations (Formal vs. Informal)

As mentioned earlier, the choice of phrase depends on the level of formality. In professional settings, “Mon nom est” or “Je suis” is preferable.

In casual settings, “Je m’appelle” is more common.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when saying “My name is” in French:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Je appelle Marie.	Je m’appelle Marie.	Missing the reflexive pronoun “me”
Moi suis Pierre.	Je suis Pierre.	Using the disjunctive pronoun “Moi” instead of “Je”
Mon nom suis Marie.	Mon nom est Marie.	Incorrect conjugation of the verb “être”
Je m’appelles Sophie.	Je m’appelle Sophie.	Incorrect conjugation of the verb “appeler”
Je suis appelle Pierre.	Je m’appelle Pierre.	Mixing “Je suis” with the reflexive verb construction
Mon nom ai Pierre.	Mon nom est Pierre.	Using the wrong form of the verb “être”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with the following exercises. Answers are provided below each exercise.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “My name is” in French.

Question	Answer
Bonjour, _________ Marie.	Je m’appelle
__________ Pierre Dupont.	Mon nom est
Salut, __________ Léa.	Je suis
Enchanté(e), __________ Sophie.	Je m’appelle
__________ Monsieur Dubois.	Je suis
Bonjour, _________ Isabelle et je suis étudiante.	Je m’appelle
__________ Thomas et je suis ravi de vous rencontrer.	Je suis
__________ Madame Lefèvre, directrice des ventes.	Mon nom est
Salut, _________ Quentin, comment ça va?	Je m’appelle
__________ Chloé, et je suis nouvelle ici.	Je suis

Exercise 2: Translation

Translate the following sentences into French using the appropriate form of “My name is.”

English	French
My name is John.	Je m’appelle John. / Je suis John. / Mon nom est John.
Hello, my name is Mrs. Smith.	Bonjour, je suis Madame Smith. / Bonjour, mon nom est Madame Smith.
Hi, my name is Pierre, nice to meet you.	Salut, je m’appelle Pierre, enchanté.
My name is Sophie, and I am a teacher.	Je m’appelle Sophie, et je suis professeur.
My name is Mr. Dubois, the manager.	Je suis Monsieur Dubois, le directeur. / Mon nom est Monsieur Dubois, le directeur.
My name is Isabelle, and I am here for the conference.	Je m’appelle Isabelle, et je suis ici pour la conférence.
My name is Thomas, and I am glad to meet you.	Je m’appelle Thomas, et je suis content de vous rencontrer.
My name is Mrs. Lefèvre, the sales director.	Mon nom est Madame Lefèvre, la directrice des ventes.
My name is Quentin, how’s it going?	Je m’appelle Quentin, comment ça va?
My name is Chloé, and I am new here.	Je m’appelle Chloé, et je suis nouvelle ici.

Exercise 3: Dialogue Completion

Complete the following dialogues with appropriate introductions.

Dialogue	Answer
Person A: Bonjour! Person B: Bonjour, __________ Marie.	Je m’appelle
Person A: Enchanté(e). Person B: __________ Pierre Dupont, enchanté(e).	Mon nom est
Person A: Salut! Person B: Salut, __________ Léa, et toi?	Je suis
Person A: Bienvenue! Person B: Merci, __________ Sophie, ravie de vous rencontrer.	Je m’appelle
Person A: Bonjour Monsieur. Person B: Bonjour, __________ Monsieur Dubois.	Je suis
Person A: Bonjour, je suis nouvelle ici. Person B: Bienvenue! _________ Isabelle, et je peux vous aider.	Je m’appelle
Person A: Enchanté de vous rencontrer. Person B: _________ Thomas, le plaisir est partagé.	Je suis
Person A: Bonjour Madame, je suis le nouveau stagiaire. Person B: _________ Madame Lefèvre, la directrice.	Mon nom est
Person A: Salut, comment ça va? Person B: Bien, merci. _________ Quentin, et toi?	Je m’appelle
Person A: Bienvenue dans notre équipe! Person B: Merci, _________ Chloé, et je suis ravie de vous rejoindre.	Je m’appelle

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, there are additional nuances to consider when introducing yourself in French.

Adding Additional Information

After stating your name, you can add information about your profession, origin, or interests. For example:

• “Je m’appelle Sophie, et je suis étudiante à Paris.” (My name is

  Sophie, and I am a student in Paris.)

• “Je suis Pierre, originaire de Lyon.” (I am Pierre, originally from Lyon.)
• “Mon nom est Marie Dupont, et je travaille dans le marketing.” (My name is Marie Dupont, and I work in marketing.)

Idiomatic Expressions Related to Names

French has several idiomatic expressions related to names that can add depth to your conversations:

• “Quel est votre nom de famille?” – What is your last name?
• “Comment vous appelez-vous?” – What is your name? (Formal)
• “C’est quoi ton nom?” – What’s your name? (Informal)
• “Il/Elle porte bien son nom.” – He/She lives up to their name.

FAQ

Conclusion

Mastering how to say “My name is” in French is a fundamental step in your language learning journey. By understanding the nuances of “Je m’appelle,” “Je suis,” and “Mon nom est,” you can confidently introduce yourself in various contexts, from casual encounters to formal settings.

Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to pronunciation, and consider the level of formality to make a positive and lasting impression. Bonne chance!