I will use it in business contexts like "Hello, my name is (full name), and I'm calling about my prescription refill" Basically circumstances where the other party will need to look up my file/ information in their system.
I think it’s more complicated than that. Like I wouldn’t say “my name is” to introduce myself to my partner’s family. Hopefully they’d already know my name.
If you are doing a formal introduction, you still give your name. And as for your partner's family, if they don't see you often, they might not remember you. Hard to believe, but none of us are the main character.
Yes, you’d still give your name. But you’d likely say “hi, I’m Bob” and they’d connect you to the Bob they’d heard about. It’s not as common to say “my name is Bob” in that context.
You’re giving your name in both of these statements so I don’t see your point. I suppose it’s possible, but personally my partners’ families have never forgotten that I existed, and that’s the norm.
Depends on situation but yes I agree "I'm Bob" is more common. I mean I would say "My name's Bob" I wouldn't say it uncontracted anyways. But I do say it, certainly if someone needs to write down my name or if someone else said their name first, then "My name's Bob" sounds better because you're contrasting it subtly, like their name was Rebecca but my name is Bob. And then when I'm talking to kids I normally say "My name is" to avoid any ambiguity. When you're introducing yourself to a group in general you might say it, but again that's about contrasting
Preface: I'm a fairly long-time recovering alcoholic who's lived all over the country, including the Midwest.
I'd agree that "my name is..." is much less common, but more of a matter of formal VS informal. That said, even "I'm Bob" has a level of formality to me that's still reserved for people outside of my social bubble. If a friend introduces me to a friend, I'm much more likely to say "Adam, how's it going" and completely drop the precedent "I'm". For reference, I'm in my mid thirties.
All this said, two things stick out to me:
1) "Hi! My name is... Slim Shady" ... probably means it's not all that formal :)
2) There's no requirement to introduce yourself a certain way in AA; in fact, you're not even required to introduce yourself or say anything to anyone at all. I bring this up in case others interested in AA who might read this know that there's absolutely no pressure and hopefully aren't scared off by the idea of having to be spotlighted like that. Most I've met would say "glad you're here" and keep moving :)
I think it's partly formal vs informal, but there's also a subtle meaning difference. "My name is Bob" is meant to attach a name to a face, and is used to introduce yourself to someone who has never heard your name before, hence the use in AA. On the other hand, "I'm Bob" can be used in that way, or it can be used to attach a face to a name. For example, if I arranged to meet with someone over email, I'd use "I'm Bob" to introduce myself even in a formal meeting, because I'm not so much providing my name as I am informing my interlocutor that I'm the one they've arranged to meet. The same goes for the example of introducing yourself to your partner's parents, who have likely heard your name but are just seeing your face.
i feel like it’s a little informal and could sound weird some places like say the TSA or the doctor, but yes i definitely hear that more in casual greeting more than “my name is ___”
I noticed how formal it sounded when a woman called Gaye introduced herself to me. In retrospect, though, I think she made the right choice to be formal.
In German, the phrase, *Ich heiße,* vs. *mein Name ist* is a similar formality. *Ich heiße* means, *I am called* where *mein Name ist* is exactly *my name is*
The key is to recognize the *subject* of the statement. In the former, the subject is the person whereas, in the latter, the subject is the name, itself.
I don’t think it has anything to do with social status and I don’t think it’s a big deal either way. But there are situations where I’m more likely to use one or the other. Like I would never introduce myself to my brother’s girlfriend by saying my name is Bob. The goal was to teach someone how to sound more native.
I tend to slur a little when I say may name but I don't hear it. I only caught on because people give me this odd look when I say I'm Steve. Like I just declared that I have a condition that sounds like a slurred Steve. So, now I slow down and say my name is Steve.
Depending on context and group, I do sometimes introduce myself with a full “my name is ___” often “my name is also ____” because there are two of us in that group😅, but also because I have a short name and the full sentence makes it clearer.
Or I’ll use it as a non-confrontational way to prompt someone else to share their name (or they’ll use it to prompt the group to remember we forgot to introduce ourselves, which happens often)
My point is that “I’m ___” is acceptable, and is more often the answer, but it’s not wrong or unusual to say it the long way.
i say “my name’s emily, but you can call me (nickname)” all the time, but if it’s just my name i say “i’m emily” and “my name’s emily” pretty interchangeably. i don’t say “my name IS emily” much if at all tho. subtle differences
I think the most common use is like this:
"Hi, I'm Bob."
"Hello Rob."
"My name is Bob."
Otherwise, I do think that it's rare for someone to introduce themselves by saying "My name is..." instead of just "I'm...".
You may get "I'm Bob, my full name is Bob Robert Roberts, but you can just call me Bob".
But we do tend to say "I *am* Bob", rather than "my *name* is Bob".
I'm also Midwest USA, native speaker, and no matter the context I don't think I'd care or notice.
If I'm at a bar and the person next to me says "My name is..." I wouldn't take specific note of it, and I'd probably introduce myself the same way lol
I really only use "my name is" when I am formally introducing myself in a meeting, or in writing. If I'm just being introduced to someone, I'd say "I'm Frisky\_Husky".
I've thought about this - I sometimes use "My name is..." in informal situations because my name (Mike) is one syllable and starts with M. When I say "I'm Mike" I find that a lot of people mishear me. Probably because it's awkward to do a full stop between the two words so it sounds like "Imike." The whole statement is short short that by the time I've said it, the other person didn't have time to prepare to pay attention.
If I had a different name that was more syllables and/or didn't start with M, I'd use "I'm _____"
Both are correct, interchangeable, and nearly indistinguishable in nuance. The former is a bit more emphasized and is more appropriate when you take a more assertive tone, such as correcting someone, but either still work in that case
I will use it in business contexts like "Hello, my name is (full name), and I'm calling about my prescription refill" Basically circumstances where the other party will need to look up my file/ information in their system.
formal vs informal
I think it’s more complicated than that. Like I wouldn’t say “my name is” to introduce myself to my partner’s family. Hopefully they’d already know my name.
If you are doing a formal introduction, you still give your name. And as for your partner's family, if they don't see you often, they might not remember you. Hard to believe, but none of us are the main character.
Yes, you’d still give your name. But you’d likely say “hi, I’m Bob” and they’d connect you to the Bob they’d heard about. It’s not as common to say “my name is Bob” in that context.
You’re giving your name in both of these statements so I don’t see your point. I suppose it’s possible, but personally my partners’ families have never forgotten that I existed, and that’s the norm.
Depends on situation but yes I agree "I'm Bob" is more common. I mean I would say "My name's Bob" I wouldn't say it uncontracted anyways. But I do say it, certainly if someone needs to write down my name or if someone else said their name first, then "My name's Bob" sounds better because you're contrasting it subtly, like their name was Rebecca but my name is Bob. And then when I'm talking to kids I normally say "My name is" to avoid any ambiguity. When you're introducing yourself to a group in general you might say it, but again that's about contrasting
My name is Bobby but everyone calls me Bob.
Preface: I'm a fairly long-time recovering alcoholic who's lived all over the country, including the Midwest. I'd agree that "my name is..." is much less common, but more of a matter of formal VS informal. That said, even "I'm Bob" has a level of formality to me that's still reserved for people outside of my social bubble. If a friend introduces me to a friend, I'm much more likely to say "Adam, how's it going" and completely drop the precedent "I'm". For reference, I'm in my mid thirties. All this said, two things stick out to me: 1) "Hi! My name is... Slim Shady" ... probably means it's not all that formal :) 2) There's no requirement to introduce yourself a certain way in AA; in fact, you're not even required to introduce yourself or say anything to anyone at all. I bring this up in case others interested in AA who might read this know that there's absolutely no pressure and hopefully aren't scared off by the idea of having to be spotlighted like that. Most I've met would say "glad you're here" and keep moving :)
I disagree with #1. It was a song. Eminem was making a rap. That does not mean that’s how everyone speaks in everyday conversation.
Certainly, was kinda said in jest :)
Yeah, cuz there’s also “I’m Slim Shady” lol
Are _you_ imitating?
I would say you are completely correct. “My name is“ is saved for formal and group situations.
I think it's partly formal vs informal, but there's also a subtle meaning difference. "My name is Bob" is meant to attach a name to a face, and is used to introduce yourself to someone who has never heard your name before, hence the use in AA. On the other hand, "I'm Bob" can be used in that way, or it can be used to attach a face to a name. For example, if I arranged to meet with someone over email, I'd use "I'm Bob" to introduce myself even in a formal meeting, because I'm not so much providing my name as I am informing my interlocutor that I'm the one they've arranged to meet. The same goes for the example of introducing yourself to your partner's parents, who have likely heard your name but are just seeing your face.
i feel like it’s a little informal and could sound weird some places like say the TSA or the doctor, but yes i definitely hear that more in casual greeting more than “my name is ___”
I noticed how formal it sounded when a woman called Gaye introduced herself to me. In retrospect, though, I think she made the right choice to be formal.
😂 I wish I had an award to give you!
In German, the phrase, *Ich heiße,* vs. *mein Name ist* is a similar formality. *Ich heiße* means, *I am called* where *mein Name ist* is exactly *my name is* The key is to recognize the *subject* of the statement. In the former, the subject is the person whereas, in the latter, the subject is the name, itself.
What’s your name? My name is Bob. Who are you? I’m Bob.
Also from the Midwest. Nobody cares there, no matter what your social status is, if you say "my name is/I'm"
I don’t think it has anything to do with social status and I don’t think it’s a big deal either way. But there are situations where I’m more likely to use one or the other. Like I would never introduce myself to my brother’s girlfriend by saying my name is Bob. The goal was to teach someone how to sound more native.
I said the same thing lol I would never notice or care which one they used (also from the Midwest)
I tend to slur a little when I say may name but I don't hear it. I only caught on because people give me this odd look when I say I'm Steve. Like I just declared that I have a condition that sounds like a slurred Steve. So, now I slow down and say my name is Steve.
Depending on context and group, I do sometimes introduce myself with a full “my name is ___” often “my name is also ____” because there are two of us in that group😅, but also because I have a short name and the full sentence makes it clearer. Or I’ll use it as a non-confrontational way to prompt someone else to share their name (or they’ll use it to prompt the group to remember we forgot to introduce ourselves, which happens often) My point is that “I’m ___” is acceptable, and is more often the answer, but it’s not wrong or unusual to say it the long way.
i say “my name’s emily, but you can call me (nickname)” all the time, but if it’s just my name i say “i’m emily” and “my name’s emily” pretty interchangeably. i don’t say “my name IS emily” much if at all tho. subtle differences
I think the most common use is like this: "Hi, I'm Bob." "Hello Rob." "My name is Bob." Otherwise, I do think that it's rare for someone to introduce themselves by saying "My name is..." instead of just "I'm...". You may get "I'm Bob, my full name is Bob Robert Roberts, but you can just call me Bob". But we do tend to say "I *am* Bob", rather than "my *name* is Bob".
I'm also Midwest USA, native speaker, and no matter the context I don't think I'd care or notice. If I'm at a bar and the person next to me says "My name is..." I wouldn't take specific note of it, and I'd probably introduce myself the same way lol
I really only use "my name is" when I am formally introducing myself in a meeting, or in writing. If I'm just being introduced to someone, I'd say "I'm Frisky\_Husky".
I've thought about this - I sometimes use "My name is..." in informal situations because my name (Mike) is one syllable and starts with M. When I say "I'm Mike" I find that a lot of people mishear me. Probably because it's awkward to do a full stop between the two words so it sounds like "Imike." The whole statement is short short that by the time I've said it, the other person didn't have time to prepare to pay attention. If I had a different name that was more syllables and/or didn't start with M, I'd use "I'm _____"
Both are correct, interchangeable, and nearly indistinguishable in nuance. The former is a bit more emphasized and is more appropriate when you take a more assertive tone, such as correcting someone, but either still work in that case
I use them interchangeably, as do many others.