My name is vs my names are..

[otevia]

Which is correct to say?
A) "My name is Bill Obama Clinton."
Or,
B) "My names are Bill Obama Clinton."

 

[Matthew Wai]

Do you have three different names or one name containing three words?

Not a teacher.

 

[Polyester]

I prefer NO. 1 answer.

Not a teacher.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Customs inspector (at the airport): What is your name?

Tourist: My name is William Jefferson Clinton.

Inspector: Welcome to our country, Mr. Clinton.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Otevia, your first is correct; your second is not.

 

[Tdol]

It would be OK to say My first names are William Jefferson, but you would only say My name is William Jefferson Clinton.

 

[MikeNewYork]

In AmE, "Jefferson" would be the middle name.

 

[Tdol]

It could be in BrE too, but you can also use first names for all non-family names.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Otevia:

While watching TV yesterday, I was immediately reminded of your thread.

Customs inspector: Would you please state your name?

Passenger: I'm Bill Clinton.

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 William Jefferson Clinton.



James

P.S. I heard "in full" while watching a delightful British comedy called "As Time Goes By." Very gentle and understated humor.

 

[Tdol]

Don't you use it in AmE?

 

[Matthew Wai]

Passenger: I'm Bill Clinton.
Passenger: Sorry! My full name is William Jefferson Clinton.

Why does his full name not contain Bill?

 

[tedmc]

Bill is the short form for William among native English speakers.

Not a teacher

 

[TheParser]

Don't you use it in AmE?

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Absolutely!

I had forgotten that fact until I was reminded of it by "As Time Goes By."


James