MizMyColi:


well, here's my reasoning...

In a sane world, no body has just one name.
The family is the smallest unit of human interactions and an emotional centre of sorts.

We'd all be lost if we had no family to identify with, which explains the reasons a sane human would normally crave for a sense of belonging....

Now this family you belong to has a name, that is first and foremost, who you are.

Which is why you don't hear people like Khloe Kardashian saying, "I am a Khloe"...but you can hear her saying "I am a Kardashian"
There's something about pedigree that speaks volumes of the stuff you're made of.

In other words, your surname and your name are dependent on each other and actually function as ONE when it comes to introducing yourself in a formal/semi-formal setting.

So, I'd rather go with my name IS Margaret Thatcher.
As far as identifying me is concerned, none is complete without the other.
I am Margaret and I'm a Thatcher.
In other words, my name is Margaret Thatcher.

"My names are" should, or, can be used when you need to make known your different names/titles, which to a very large extent are independent of the other.

For Example;

His name is Jehovah Elshaddai.

And

His names are Jehovah Elshaddai, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Nissi.....
Respectively.
You catch my drift?

Originalsly:
Give an example when it is correct to say my names are.

MizMyColi:


well, here's my reasoning...

In a sane world, no body has just one name.
The family is the smallest unit of human interactions and an emotional centre of sorts.

We'd all be lost if we had no family to identify with, which explains the reasons a sane human would normally crave for a sense of belonging....

Now this family you belong to has a name, that is first and foremost, who you are.

Which is why you don't hear people like Khloe Kardashian saying, "I am a Khloe"...but you can hear her saying "I am a Kardashian"
There's something about pedigree that speaks volumes of the stuff you're made of.

In other words, your surname and your name are dependent on each other and actually function as ONE when it comes to introducing yourself in a formal/semi-formal setting.

So, I'd rather go with my name IS Margaret Thatcher.
As far as identifying me is concerned, none is complete without the other.
I am Margaret and I'm a Thatcher.
In other words, my name is Margaret Thatcher.

"My names are" should, or, can be used when you need to make known your different names/titles, which to a very large extent are independent of the other.

For Example;

His name is Jehovah Elshaddai.

And

His names are Jehovah Elshaddai, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Nissi.....
Respectively.
You catch my drift?

uchennamani:
They are both correct depending on the context in which it was used. My name is Uche but my names are Uche Nnamani. When asked his name during the Oputa Panel hearing by the chairman; Whole Soyinka replied:'my name is Wole'. The chairman became angry and Prof. Soyinka told him that he should asked him his names. Grammatically, the subject must agree with the verb. The noun subjects 'name or names' must go with its verb equivalents 'is or are' respectively. it is wrong to say ' My name is Uche Nnamani or my name are Uche.'

ElDeeVee:
If you're a graduate and you insist it should be MY NAMES ARE when introducing yourself, you need to do just two things;

* Return the certificate issued to you.
* Refund your father's hard earned money.

Pineapp:
My "name is"=singular.

My "names are"=plural..


Both phrases are correct depending on the situation.

bqlekan:
lol, o serious...how u dey jare., long time

damiloladuke:
am coming, please wait. let me get to age 40...I will respond to you, wait for me on NAIRALAND

STANPASQUAL:
My name is STANPASQUAL!!
my names are Stan Pasqual!!

ElDeeVee:

Leke, I'm fine o....how's you too?

Sanchez01:


Unfortunately, both of you are wrong. There is no such thing as "my names are...". Here lemme explain;

1. The question is "What IS your NAME?": Note, the question did not come with the plural BrE+ form which in this regard would be "ARE". Hence, the question is directed to a singular form or entity (which is one person) and the answer would be singular as well. Therefore "My name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is most correct".

2. "Name" is a Noun but one's name is singular: This is quite complicated but simple at the same time. A name is an identity by which something is known or described as.

So, when we say "Names", we refer to several others but this is the tricky part; regardless of how many names you bear or carry, you are ONE person. Hence,, we refer to you as a singular entity and not belonging to the plurality class. Hermaphrodites who are even known to possess both male and female features are not pluralized.

Bearing the above in mind, it would imply that the several "NAMES" you have all belong to "ONE" person which is YOU. This is why it is proper to say "My name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan".

NB: Goodluck+Ebele+Jonathan are all names but they belong to ONE person, therefore it cannot be pluralized during introduction.

Finally, instead of saying "My names are" just say "My full name is..."
E.g;

Customs inspector: Would you please state your name?

Passenger: I'm Goodluck Jonathan

Inspector: Excuse me, sir. Would you please state your full name? / Would you please state your name in full?

Passenger: Sorry! My full name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan









Correct and precise. I recommend for the Admin.

bqlekan:
lol..you still calling me this name, oya this is a social forum nah

StarMogul:
"My name is" is grammatically correct because it refers to a particular individual.

MizMyColi:


well, here's my reasoning...

In a sane world, no body has just one name.
The family is the smallest unit of human interactions and an emotional centre of sorts.

We'd all be lost if we had no family to identify with, which explains the reasons a sane human would normally crave for a sense of belonging....

Now this family you belong to has a name, that is first and foremost, who you are.

Which is why you don't hear people like Khloe Kardashian saying, "I am a Khloe"...but you can hear her saying "I am a Kardashian"
There's something about pedigree that speaks volumes of the stuff you're made of.

In other words, your surname and your name are dependent on each other and actually function as ONE when it comes to introducing yourself in a formal/semi-formal setting.

So, I'd rather go with my name IS Margaret Thatcher.
As far as identifying me is concerned, none is complete without the other.
I am Margaret and I'm a Thatcher.
In other words, my name is Margaret Thatcher.

"My names are" should, or, can be used when you need to make known your different names/titles, which to a very large extent are independent of the other.

For Example;

His name is Jehovah Elshaddai.

And

His names are Jehovah Elshaddai, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Nissi.....
Respectively.
You catch my drift?

Jarus:


I'm not an authority here, but I think I have heard authorities say it is "My name is" no matter the number of names you're calling.

Sanchez01:


Unfortunately, both of you are wrong. There is no such thing as "my names are...". Here lemme explain;

1. The question is "What IS your NAME?": Note, the question did not come with the plural BrE+ form which in this regard would be "ARE". Hence, the question is directed to a singular form or entity (which is one person) and the answer would be singular as well. Therefore "My name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is most correct".

2. "Name" is a Noun but one's name is singular: This is quite complicated but simple at the same time. A name is an identity by which something is known or described as.

So, when we say "Names", we refer to several others but this is the tricky part; regardless of how many names you bear or carry, you are ONE person. Hence,, we refer to you as a singular entity and not belonging to the plurality class. Hermaphrodites who are even known to possess both male and female features are not pluralized.

Bearing the above in mind, it would imply that the several "NAMES" you have all belong to "ONE" person which is YOU. This is why it is proper to say "My name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan".

NB: Goodluck+Ebele+Jonathan are all names but they belong to ONE person, therefore it cannot be pluralized during introduction.

Finally, instead of saying "My names are" just say "My full name is..."
E.g;

Customs inspector: Would you please state your name?

Passenger: I'm Goodluck Jonathan

Inspector: Excuse me, sir. Would you please state your full name? / Would you please state your name in full?

Passenger: Sorry! My full name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

ihatesycophant:

You're wrong nothing like my names are if you're referring to a singular individual because it's the same one person and not two. If you like have 100 names, it's my name is and not my names are.

STANPASQUAL:

Unfortunately, u are wrong!! We are considering the names and not d individuals!!
U possess multiple names and they ARE ur NAMES!! They IS ur names. ISN'T they??

MizMyColi:


well, here's my reasoning...

In a sane world, no body has just one name.
The family is the smallest unit of human interactions and an emotional centre of sorts.

We'd all be lost if we had no family to identify with, which explains the reasons a sane human would normally crave for a sense of belonging....

Now this family you belong to has a name, that is first and foremost, who you are.

Which is why you don't hear people like Khloe Kardashian saying, "I am a Khloe"...but you can hear her saying "I am a Kardashian"
There's something about pedigree that speaks volumes of the stuff you're made of.

In other words, your surname and your name are dependent on each other and actually function as ONE when it comes to introducing yourself in a formal/semi-formal setting.

So, I'd rather go with my name IS Margaret Thatcher.
As far as identifying me is concerned, none is complete without the other.
I am Margaret and I'm a Thatcher.
In other words, my name is Margaret Thatcher.

"My names are" should, or, can be used when you need to make known your different names/titles, which to a very large extent are independent of the other.

For Example;

His name is Jehovah Elshaddai.

And

His names are Jehovah Elshaddai, Jehovah Tsidkenu, Jehovah Shammah, Jehovah Nissi.....
Respectively.
You catch my drift?