French · Greetings & Essentials
"My name is…" in French: je m'appelle…
je m'appelle…
My name is in French is je m'appelle…, then your first name: Je m'appelle Léa. It is the default self-introduction, more natural than mon nom est in casual talk.
First day in class
Bonjour, je m'appelle Samir.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce je m'appelle…
Say it
zhuh ma-PELL
/ʒə ma.pɛl/
Je is zhuh. M'appelle is ma-PELL: the e of me drops before appelle. Stress the pell.
"My name is…" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Je m'appelle… | My name is… / I'm called… Default introduction. | Default introduction. |
| Moi, c'est… | I'm… / Me, I'm… Very casual alternative. | Very casual alternative. |
| Je suis… | I am… Also works with a name in intro contexts. | Also works with a name in intro contexts. |
| Mon prénom est… | My first name is… Clearer in forms and offices. | Clearer in forms and offices. |
How to use je m'appelle… in real life
- 1First day in class
Bonjour, je m'appelle Samir.
Hello, my name is Samir.
Classic opener.
- 2Networking event
Je m'appelle Inès, je travaille dans le design.
My name is Inès; I work in design.
Name plus one detail.
- 3Phone booking
Je m'appelle Martin Dupont.
My name is Martin Dupont.
Full name when needed.
Mistakes English speakers make with je m'appelle…
Incorrect: Je m'appelle est Paul.
Correct: Je m'appelle Paul.
No est after m'appelle — the name follows directly.
Incorrect: Mon nom m'appelle Léa.
Correct: Je m'appelle Léa.
Use je m'appelle, not a mix with mon nom.
Good to know
In France, Je m'appelle plus first name is enough in most social settings. Add the family name for bookings, schools, and admin.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Meeting at a language exchange
ChatPal
Salut ! Je m'appelle Nora.
Hi! My name is Nora.
You
Enchanté. Je m'appelle Alex.
Nice to meet you. My name is Alex.
ChatPal
Tu apprends le français depuis longtemps ?
Have you been learning French long?
You
Quelques mois seulement.
Only a few months.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"My name is…" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "My name is…" in French
How do you say my name is in French?
Je m'appelle…
Do I need est after m'appelle?
No. Say Je m'appelle Paul.
Is mon nom est okay?
Understandable, but je m'appelle is the everyday default.
How do you pronounce je m'appelle?
Zhuh ma-PELL.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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