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Is it correct to use ""May I know your good name ? ”

"May I know your good name” is a typically Asian way of asking someones name. Perhaps it is being used just as a 'softener' or out of politeness, to ask a person's name.

It is INCORRECT. It makes any sense unless you have two names, a good one and a bad one. :-)

Eg. The only way to use "good name" would be in this example. Sam is spreading rumours about me. He is saying that I bully people. He is ruining my good name.

"May I take your name ?" is also incorrect while you are speaking on the phone. It is used when you are intend to include someones name in a specific list.

Correct forms may be;

What is your name, please? May I know your name?

Might I ask your name, Sir/Madame?"

Who's speaking, please ? ( while on the phone)

Who's on the line, please? ( while on the phone)

OTHER INCORRECT FORMS

  1. 'Kindly revert' - ‘Kindly reply at the earliest’ would be correct as revert means "to return to a former state."
  2. You don't "discuss about" something; you just discuss things.
  3. When you order something, you "order" it, you do not "order for" it.
  4. "Out of town" is correct instead of "out of station"
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Share 12 Comments Ravinder Singh, graphic Ravinder Singh 2y
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Yep, don't use a Good name, just say. What is your name, please? or May I know your name?

Like Reply 1 Reaction 2 Reactions Tryambak Chatterjee, graphic Tryambak Chatterjee 3y
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I am sorry but you are not correct. “Good name” is a vaid phrase for polietly asking for one’s name. Unless the Cambridge dictionary is wrong. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/good-name

Like Reply 1 Reaction Jeff Guarino, graphic Jeff Guarino 6y
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"may I know your name?"   the answer is "yes you may know my name"  so you see this is not the correct way to ask for someones name.   "Can I get your name please?" is the most common way to ask for someones name.   The word "May" makes it seem like you are asking for permission to ask for a name not ask for the actual name.   This bothers me every time I hear it and I tell them that it does not sound natural and no one says this in North America .   I don't know if it is correct from an English professors point of view but it sounds stupid to me when I hear it.

Like Reply 1 Reaction 2 Reactions Jishad Peevees, graphic Jishad Peevees 6y
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Yes, you are right. But of the Indians are using this format. But even if we try to correct them, they won't accept. 

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