Names and spelling
Ask for and spell names, and understand first names, surnames and titles.
In this lesson you will
- Know the difference between first name and surname
- Spell your name letter by letter
- Use titles: Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr
Learn
Most English-speaking people have a first name (given name) and a surname (family name or last name). In Emily Clarke, Emily is the first name and Clarke is the surname.
Use titles with the surname in formal situations: Mr (a man), Mrs (a married woman), Ms (any woman — a safe choice), Dr (a doctor). We say Mr Clarke, not Mr Emily.
To ask for spelling: How do you spell that? or Can you spell that, please? Answer letter by letter: C-L-A-R-K-E.
For double letters, say double: Anna = A, double N, A. You will practise all the letters in the lesson on the alphabet.
Examples
- What’s your first name? — Daniel.
- What’s your surname? — Okafor.
- How do you spell “Okafor”? — O-K-A-F-O-R.
- Good afternoon, Dr Ahmed.
- Is that Ms or Mrs? — Ms, please.
Vocabulary
first name
your given name
“My first name is Leo.”
surname
your family name
“Her surname is Tanaka.”
spell
say or write the letters of a word
“How do you spell your name?”
letter
A, B, C … are letters
double
two of the same
““Emma” has a double M.”
title
Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr before a name
In real life
Checking in at a hotel.
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Receptionist: Good evening. What’s your surname, please?
Guest: It’s Novak.
Receptionist: How do you spell that?
Guest: N-O-V-A-K.
Receptionist: Thank you, Mr Novak. And your first name?
Guest: Pavel. P-A-V-E-L.
Practice
In the name “Carlos Mendes”, which is the surname?
Listening: At the doctor’s
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Receptionist: Hello. What’s your name, please?
Woman: Maria Lopez.
Receptionist: Can you spell your surname?
Woman: L-O-P-E-Z.
Receptionist: Thank you, Ms Lopez. Please sit down.
1.What is the woman’s surname?
2.Which title does the receptionist use?
Speaking
Say your full name. Then spell your first name and your surname letter by letter.
- My first name is … That’s …
- My surname is … That’s …
Writing
Fill in a form in sentences: write your title, first name and surname, and spell a difficult name in your family.
Lesson quiz
“What’s your surname?” asks for your …
Review
Key points
- First name = given name. Surname = family name.
- Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr + surname.
- How do you spell that? — letter by letter; “double” for two letters the same.
What you learned
- ✓ I can say and spell my name.
- ✓ I can use titles correctly.
- ✓ I can ask someone to spell a word.