NAME SIGN

What is 'name sign'? And how to sign 'name sign' in American Sign Language?

Deaf people and members of Deaf community as well as deaf children in deaf day and residential schools have name signs given by Deaf community members. Deaf parents also give their children name signs.

ASL sign for "name sign"

Meaning: a personal name that identify a person in sign language.

Related signs: NAME, SURNAME, FORENAME, SIGN LANGUAGE.

Name signs of Deaf notables

Here are some examples of name signs of notable Deaf people: Laurent Clerc, Nyle Dimarco, Liisa Kauppinen, Jolanta Lapiak, Paddy Ladd, Forrest Nickerson, Laurene Simms, George Veditz, etc.

Name signs of hearing notables

Few hearing notables such as presidents are given name signs. While, the others are members of Deaf community. Here are some name signs: Barack Obama, Gallaudet, William Stokoe, ...

Tutorials

Q: "How do you make a sign name?"

Name sign in Deaf culture is a gift usually given to hearing members by Deaf members of Deaf community. See the tutorial page name sign gifting, including types of names, how name signs are created, when they are used, etc.

~~ Feeling lucky? ¯\(°_o)/¯ Random word ~~

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Search Tips and Pointers

Search/Filter: Enter a keyword in the filter/search box to see a list of available words with the "All" selection. Click on the page number if needed. Click on the blue link to look up the word. For best result, enter a partial word to see variations of the word.

Screenshot of dictionary search with notes — Screenshot of the search dictionary

Alphabetical letters: It's useful for 1) a single-letter word (such as A, B, etc.) and 2) very short words (e.g. "to", "he", etc.) to narrow down the words and pages in the list.

For best result, enter a short word in the search box, then select the alphetical letter (and page number if needed), and click on the blue link.

Screenshot of dictionary search with notes — Screenshot of the search dictionary

Don't forget to click "All" back when you search another word with a different initial letter.

If you cannot find (perhaps overlook) a word but you can still see a list of links, then keep looking until the links disappear! Sharpening your eye or maybe refine your alphabetical index skill. :)

Add a Word: This dictionary is not exhaustive; ASL signs are constantly added to the dictionary. If you don't find a word/sign, you can send your request (only if a single link doesn't show in the result).

Videos: The first video may be NOT the answer you're looking for. There are several signs for different meanings, contexts, and/or variations. Browsing all the way down to the next search box is highly recommended.

Video speed: Signing too fast in the videos? See HELP in the footer.

ASL has its own grammar and structure in sentences that works differently from English. For plurals, verb inflections, word order, etc., learn grammar in the "ASL Learn" section. For search in the dictionary, use the present-time verbs and base words. If you look for "said", look up the word "say". Likewise, if you look for an adjective word, try the noun or vice versa. E.g. The ASL signs for French and France are the same. If you look for a plural word, use a singular word.