How to Say My Name Is in French

How to Say My Name Is in French

Introducing yourself is one of the first things you’ll do in French, and the phrase you need is Je m’appelle. It’s a little idiomatic — literally “I call myself” — so here’s how to say it, what it really means, and how to ask the question back.

The Standard Phrase: Je m’appelle

Je m’appelle… — pronounced zhuh mah-PELL

Add your name to the end: Je m’appelle Marie (“My name is Marie”). It comes from the reflexive verb s’appeler (to call oneself), so it literally says “I call myself.”

Copy the Phrase

The French phrase for my name is is Je m’appelle (zhuh mah-PELL).

Pronunciation Notes

Part	Pronunciation	Notes
Je	zhuh	Soft ‘zh’ (like ‘s’ in “measure”)
m’appelle	mah-PELL	Doubled ‘l’ makes a crisp “pell”; stress at the end

The contraction m’ (from me) attaches to appelle, so it flows as one unit: mah-PELL. Keep the je light and quick.

All the Ways to Introduce Yourself in French

French	Pronunciation	Meaning / Use
Je m’appelle…	zhuh mah-PELL	”My name is…” (standard)
Mon nom est…	mohn nohn ay	”My name is…” (slightly formal)
Moi, c’est…	mwah say	”I’m…” (very casual)
Je me présente, je suis…	zhuh muh pray-ZAHNT zhuh swee	”Let me introduce myself, I’m…”
Je m’appelle… et toi?	zhuh mah-PELL ay TWAH	”My name is… and you?”

What “Je m’appelle” Literally Means

The verb is s’appeler, a reflexive verb meaning “to call oneself.” Conjugated for “I,” it becomes je m’appelle — literally “I call myself.” It follows the reflexive pattern, which is why other people’s names use the matching forms:

• Je m’appelle — I am called.
• Tu t’appelles — you are called (informal).
• Il/Elle s’appelle — he/she is called.

Asking Someone’s Name

To complete an introduction, ask back:

• Formal: Comment vous appelez-vous? (koh-mahn voo-zah-play VOO) — “What is your name?”
• Informal: Comment tu t’appelles? (koh-mahn too tah-PELL) or the relaxed Tu t’appelles comment?

They’ll reply with Je m’appelle… and you can add Enchanté(e)! (“Nice to meet you!”).

Casual vs. Formal Introductions

• Je m’appelle… — neutral and safe in any setting.
• Moi, c’est… — very casual, common among friends and young people (Moi, c’est Léa).
• Je me présente, je suis… — polished and professional, ideal for meetings or formal introductions.
• Mon nom est… — a bit formal/written; in speech, Je m’appelle is far more natural.

Cultural Notes

A French introduction usually ends with Enchanté (men) or Enchantée (women), meaning “delighted (to meet you)” — both pronounced ahn-shahn-TAY. In formal contexts the French shake hands; among friends they exchange la bise (cheek kisses). When giving your name to officials or on the phone, you may state your surname first; in casual settings, the first name alone with Je m’appelle is perfectly natural.