Name Signs: The Culture of Receiving a Name

A name sign is a short sign used to identify a person, serving as an alternative to fingerspelling their English name.

There are two main types of name signs. One is the descriptive type that reflects one’s distinctive physical feature, habit, or personality trait. Another is the arbitrary type that uses the handshape of the name's initial letter moved in a specific location on the body. It is known that combinations of the two are also common. 

The most important rule is that you do not create your own name sign. Instead, you receive it from another Deaf person. Typically, a Deaf friend, instructor, or member of the local Deaf community assigns it after a relationship has been established.

Receiving a name sign therefore serves as a form of welcome. So creating one yourself or picking one from the internet strips it of that meaning.

Indeed, if one wants to get a sign name, they should spend time with Deaf people and build relationships, as asking for one right after meeting can be considered rude. Furthermore, instead of asking for one, they should just wait for the other person to naturally give them a name.