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can i have your name? vs May i ask your name?

The phrases are both correct and commonplace in English—they are polite ways to inquire about a person's name. They are interchangeable in most situations, with 'can I have your name?' being slightly more casual and 'may I ask your name?' being slightly more formal.
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Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: January 20, 2025 • 8173 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"can i have your name?"

This phrase is a polite way to ask for someone's name. It is slightly more casual than 'may I ask your name?' and is suitable for most situations.

Examples:

  • Can I have your name, please?
  • Excuse me, can I have your name?
  • Can I have your name for the reservation?
  • Sure, you can have my name.
  • Can I have your name and phone number?
  • Jul 19, 2017 ... ... Can I have your name, please? May I have your name, please? They both mean exactly the same thing. "May I" is more polite. When you're ...
  • Dec 21, 2023 ... ... can I have your name for the order “ being a gnome, I knew Fey, but rolled a 1 so gave my real name.. wore my winter coat upside down for ...
  • Jun 6, 2013 ... I seemed to think "have" is a versatile word... When I said 'can I have your name?', an English man replied "What's my name?
  • Feb 23, 2024 ... the name one is fine but you could say “can i have your name/could you give me your name” and for the seat one you can try “could you have a ...
  • Feb 25, 2011 ... Hi, I would like to know the differences between "May/Can I ask your name?" and "May/Can I have your name?"? One of the differences can be ...
  • Oct 25, 2018 ... ... can I have your name" thing) ment they could fuck with you. Fun fact names where supposed to have great power so people started having ...
  • ​Can I have my ball back/Can I have your name? (Gravity Falls Never Human AU poem). by HildegardHope. November 17, 2024; Poetry: Supernatural, Fanfiction ...
  • Jan 8, 2020 ... ... can I have your name" and cast disguise self to look like them with all creatures having your proficiency bonus subtracted from checks to ...

Alternatives:

  • What is your name?
  • Could you tell me your name?
  • May I know your name?
  • Would you mind sharing your name?
  • Do you mind telling me your name?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"May i ask your name?"

This phrase is a polite way to ask for someone's name. It is slightly more formal than 'can I have your name?' and is suitable for more formal or professional settings.

Examples:

  • May I ask your name, please?
  • Excuse me, may I ask your name?
  • May I ask your name for the record?
  • Sure, you may ask my name.
  • May I ask your name and occupation?
  • Feb 25, 2011 ... "Can/May I ask your name?" is just a polite inquiry of the person's name. In both cases "may" is more polite than "can" and more formal.
  • Oct 28, 2021 ... May I ask your name? A noun clause like "who is calling" can be used in place of a simple noun. What I want for dinner is a hamburger. The ...
  • Jan 8, 2016 ... May I ask your name?" There are unlimited ways to express this, but it is always more polite to introduce yourself before asking for a ...
  • Dec 1, 2020 ... For example, upon meeting someone who seems nervous and/or shy, I might say, "May I ask your name?" This doesn't imply that I'm annoyed with ...
  • Oct 8, 2010 ... > Puis-je me permettre de vous demander votre nom ? May I be allowed to ask your name. OR May I ask your name. Are the meaning correct? B.R.
  • Jul 18, 2017 ... What does pending mean? Related questions. What is the difference between May I ask your name ? and Can Iask your name ? ? What ...
  • Sep 18, 2022 ... Well first of all? The question should be, “ May I ask your name?” “Can”, is improper. The person asking this question wants to know or ...
  • 1 day ago ... お名前を伺ってもいいですか (O-namae o ukagatte mo ii desu ka, May I ask your name?) Drill this into your head! You can opt to level it up by ...
  • Translations in context of "May I ask your name" in English-French from Reverso Context: By the way, may I ask your name?
  • Oct 3, 2020 ... I always answer the phone simply. When l'm working I speak more professionally and formally. I say ““Hello, this is (give my name) speaking.

Alternatives:

  • What is your name?
  • Could you tell me your name?
  • Can I have your name?
  • Would you mind sharing your name?
  • Do you mind telling me your name?

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