Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "His Name"

To sign 'his name', you will combine the signs for 'his' and 'name'. First, form a flat hand with your dominant hand, fingers together, and push it slightly outward to the side with your palm facing the person you are referring to. Next, form 'U' handshapes with both hands by extending your index and middle fingers. Tap the fingers of your dominant hand crosswise over the fingers of your non-dominant hand twice.

Examples Using "His Name" in a Sentence

1

Do you know his name?

Sign 'you', 'know', and then 'his name'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward at the end of the sentence.

2

His name is John.

Sign 'his name', and then immediately fingerspell 'J-O-H-N'. You do not need to sign the English word 'is', as ASL grammar naturally connects the subject and the name.

3

I forgot his name.

Sign 'I', 'forgot' (wiping your hand across your forehead), and then 'his name'. Use a slightly frustrated or apologetic facial expression to clearly convey the meaning of forgetting.

How to Sign "His Name"
To sign 'his name', you will combine the signs for 'his' and 'name'. First, form a flat hand with your dominant hand, fingers together, and push it slightly outward to the side with your palm facing the person you are referring to. Next, form 'U' handshapes with both hands by extending your index and middle fingers. Tap the fingers of your dominant hand crosswise over the fingers of your non-dominant hand twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This phrase combines two foundational ASL concepts. The sign for 'his' utilizes the flat 'B' handshape, which is the universal ASL marker for possession. By directing this flat hand toward a specific person or location in space, you indicate ownership. The sign for 'name' uses the 'U' or 'H' handshapes. This sign is widely believed to originate from the historical practice of individuals signing an 'X' on legal documents to represent their signature and identity, which is visually mimicked by the crossing fingers.
Signing Tips
When signing 'his name', pay attention to the transition between the two signs. The movement should be smooth and natural. For the possessive 'his', the flat hand is crucial; ensure your fingers are kept together and your palm faces the direction of the person you are talking about. If the person isn't present, simply push your flat hand toward an empty space on your side to establish their location. For 'name', keep your non-dominant hand stationary while your dominant hand performs the double tapping motion.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is using an index finger to point instead of a flat hand for the first part of the phrase. Pointing with the index finger means 'he', so you would accidentally be signing 'he name' instead of 'his name'. Another frequent error is tapping the fingers only once for 'name'. In ASL, nouns typically have a double movement, so tapping twice ensures you are clearly signing the noun 'name'. Finally, make sure your fingers form a cross or 'X' shape rather than resting parallel.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "His Name" in a Sentence
1

Do you know his name?

Sign 'you', 'know', and then 'his name'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward at the end of the sentence.

2

His name is John.

Sign 'his name', and then immediately fingerspell 'J-O-H-N'. You do not need to sign the English word 'is', as ASL grammar naturally connects the subject and the name.

3

I forgot his name.

Sign 'I', 'forgot' (wiping your hand across your forehead), and then 'his name'. Use a slightly frustrated or apologetic facial expression to clearly convey the meaning of forgetting.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign 'her name' instead of 'his name'?

The sign is exactly the same! In ASL, third-person possessive pronouns like 'his', 'her', and singular 'their' are gender-neutral. You simply direct the flat hand toward the space where the person is standing or where you have established them in your signing space.

Do I need to sign 'is' when saying 'His name is...'?

No, ASL does not use state-of-being verbs like 'is', 'am', or 'are'. To introduce someone, you simply sign 'his name' followed directly by fingerspelling the person's name.

Can I use this sign for 'its name' when talking about a pet?

Yes, you can! You use the exact same flat-hand possessive sign directed at the animal or the space representing the animal, followed by the sign for 'name', to state or ask for a pet's name.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!