How to Sign "Nam"

Form both hands into 'H' or 'U' shapes, with your index and middle fingers extended and kept together. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your chest with the fingers pointing diagonally outward. Bring your dominant hand down so its fingers tap across the top of the non-dominant hand's fingers twice, forming an 'X' shape.

Examples Using "Nam" in a Sentence

1

What is your name?

Point to the person to sign YOUR, sign NAME by tapping your 'H' hands together twice, and furrow your eyebrows to indicate a 'wh-' question.

2

My name is Sarah.

Point to your chest to sign MY, sign NAME with a double tap, and then clearly fingerspell S-A-R-A-H.

3

I forgot the name of that book.

Sign BOOK, point to it, sign NAME, and then sign FORGET by wiping your dominant hand across your forehead.

How to Sign "Nam"
Form both hands into 'H' or 'U' shapes, with your index and middle fingers extended and kept together. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your chest with the fingers pointing diagonally outward. Bring your dominant hand down so its fingers tap across the top of the non-dominant hand's fingers twice, forming an 'X' shape.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'name' is thought to originate from the concept of a signature or marking an 'X' on a legal document. The crossed fingers visually represent an 'X' mark where one's name would traditionally be written.
Signing Tips
Make sure to tap twice to indicate the noun 'name'. Keep your fingers straight and together, forming clear 'H' or 'U' handshapes on both hands to ensure the sign is crisp and easily understood. Always use your dominant hand as the top hand doing the tapping.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using only the index fingers instead of both the index and middle fingers. Another frequent error is tapping the hands parallel to each other instead of crossing them to form an 'X' shape when they meet.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Nam" in a Sentence
1

What is your name?

Point to the person to sign YOUR, sign NAME by tapping your 'H' hands together twice, and furrow your eyebrows to indicate a 'wh-' question.

2

My name is Sarah.

Point to your chest to sign MY, sign NAME with a double tap, and then clearly fingerspell S-A-R-A-H.

3

I forgot the name of that book.

Sign BOOK, point to it, sign NAME, and then sign FORGET by wiping your dominant hand across your forehead.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I tap once or twice for this sign?

You should tap twice. In ASL, nouns typically have a double movement, while verbs have a single movement. Tapping twice clearly indicates the noun 'name', whereas a single tap means the verb 'to name' or 'named'.

Does it matter which hand is on top?

Yes, your dominant hand should always be the one on top doing the tapping. Your non-dominant hand acts as the stationary base underneath.

Can I use this sign to ask what an object is called?

Yes! You can point to an object and sign this with furrowed eyebrows to ask 'What is the name of that?' or 'What is that called?'

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