This article discusses the different types of name signs and how they are assigned. It also covers how you can introduce your name to others in the Deaf community.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
There are two types of naming systems:
If you have a great sense of humor or bubbly temperament, your name sign may be something like “Giggle” or “Sunshine.” Your name sign may signify an interest or your occupation, like “Dance” or “Writer,” or it may be characteristic of a physical feature, like “Curly hair” or “Beard.”
There really is no limit or boundaries when it comes to receiving an ASL name.
That said, while many name signs provide a window into a person’s personality or interests, others are more simple. For example, some people’s name sign is the first letter of their name, like “C” for Caitlin or “J” for Jamie, and are called initialized name signs.
Some people have a combination of initialized and descriptive name signs, like the first letter of their name that is swirling like a fish for someone who is a swimmer.
If you love a specific animal, like cats, your name sign may be the first letter of your birth name to then sign “cat’s whiskers” on your cheek. If you enjoy birds, your name sign could be the first letter of your birth name combined with the sign for bird.
Deaf children tend to come up with sign names fairly quickly, so don’t be taken aback if your kid-derived name sign is humor-based, like something they found particularly funny about your appearance or personality.
Not Everyone Has One
Not everyone affiliated with the Deaf community has a name sign, even if they’ve lived within it their entire lives.
It’s not a requirement and some people just prefer to use their given name. This is especially true for people with short first names, like “Pat” or “Mike.”
TheASL dictionarylists name signs for a number of famous people includingBarack Obama,Wayne Gretzky,Kamala Harris, andNyle Dimarco.
Whenever you introduce yourself to someone new, you should always fingerspell your actual name first. Then, it’s customary within Deaf culture to explain your background (especially how you came to be involved with the Deaf community), as well as detailing your schooling, family, and friends.
Typically, people will learn your name sign through a third party and begin using it.
It is not uncommon for your name sign to change as you move between social and work groups since your personality and how you are perceived is likely different in these situations.
Your name sign may change if you meet a new group of friends, either because they see you differently or because someone else already has that name sign.
A Word From Verywell
If you have a name sign, you have been welcomed into the Deaf community. So accept your ASL name and enjoy this lovely honor.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lutzenberger H.Manual and nonmanual features of name signs in Kata Kolok and sign language of the Netherlands.Sign Language Studies. 2018:18(4): 546–569.
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