Name

To sign name, form both hands into the ASL letter U sign, hold them down horizontally and have them tap each other intermittently at an acute angle, such that the index finger side of one 'U' hand touches the middle finger side of the other 'U' hand.

Name is sometimes mistaken for sit, or even for train or railroad, so be careful not to get all these signs using the 'U' hands confused. Name is different from the three other signs because both 'U' hands here are angled and held sideways, not down flat.

Flash Card

This is a useful flash card taught best in conjunction with other family, relative, friend, and school-related flash cards. Once your toddler understands that every person has a unique name, it can help bolster their self-awareness and sense of differentiation from others.

4 Responses to “Name”

Elizabeth B. July 5th, 2021

Can I teach my baby a sign for her unique name? How do I create one? Her name starts with an S. So, if we just sign S, I am afraid that it will look very much like how she signs “potty.” How can we avoid confusion with other words?

Reply
- Baby Sign Language Administrator July 6th, 2021
  
  Hi Elizabeth, Sure, you can start by signing “S” but add a follow-up sign that signifies her name somehow. If her nickname is short, like 3-4 letters long, you could also consider just spelling it out.
  
  Reply
  - Charlynn Fields August 9th, 2021
    
    How would I create a sign for the name Treasure, our baby sitter. We only ever call her by her name. And “T” is the same sign as “potty/toilet” which we use a lot because we are potty training. Also how about the name Elizabeth(daughter)?
    Over all could you give a lesson or talk about how to do make/create names please?
    
    Reply
    - Baby Sign Language Administrator October 11th, 2021
      
      Hi Charlynn, You can either sign the name “Treasure” by finger-spelling it, or by following the sign for the noun for treasure/riches here, or assign your baby sitter a different sign entirely. It is actually deaf persons who *assign* special signs for people’s names: these signs are usually based on the person’s first initial, physical characteristics, personality, or any combination thereof. Have fun determining the name signs for your daughter and baby sitter!
      
      Reply