WHAT'S HER FIRST NAME?

 Learning how to ask and answer questions about names is one of the first steps in building conversational English skills. This topic focuses on the question "What's her first name?", which is used to inquire about someone's given name. Understanding how to use this structure helps students talk about themselves and others in both formal and informal settings.

At the A1 and A2 levels, students learn how to identify different parts of a person's name, such as first name and last name (or surname). For example, in "Mary Johnson," Mary is the first name, and Johnson is the last name. This lesson will also explore related vocabulary and useful expressions for introducing oneself and others.

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to confidently ask for and provide basic personal information, forming a foundation for effective communication in English. These skills are especially useful for introductions, filling out forms, and meeting new people.

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GRAMMAR

Asking for someone's first name:

• Question structure:
  • What + is + her/his/your + first name?
  • Examples:
    • What’s her first name? (Mary)
    • What’s your first name? (John)

Answering the question:

• Structure:
  • Her/His/Your + first name is + name.
  • Examples:
    • Her first name is Sarah.
    • My first name is Emily.

Negative forms:

• Her first name is not + name.
  • Example:
    • Her first name is not Anna; it’s Emma.

Yes/No questions with "be":

• Is her first name + name?
  • Examples:
    • Is her first name Clara? (Yes, it is./No, it isn’t.)

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VOCABULARY

1. First name: The given name, often used informally. (Example: John)
2. Last name: The family name or surname. (Example: Smith)
3. Full name: A combination of first and last names. (Example: John Smith)
4. Nickname: A shorter or informal version of a name. (Example: Liz for Elizabeth)
5. Middle name: A name placed between the first and last names. (Example: James in Mary James Johnson)
6. Initial: The first letter of a name. (Example: J. for John)
7. Title: A word showing respect or profession, used before a name. (Example: Mr., Ms., Dr.)
8. Maiden name: A woman’s last name before marriage. (Example: Jane Doe before marriage)
9. Common name: A name frequently used in a culture. (Example: Maria in Spanish-speaking countries)
10. Unusual name: A rare or unique name. (Example: Zaphira)

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USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

• Asking for names:

  • What’s her first name?
  • What’s your full name?
  • How do you spell that?

• Introducing someone:

  • Her name is Sarah.
  • This is my friend, John.

• Clarifying information:

  • Can you repeat her name, please?
  • Is that her first or last name?

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SENTENCES

Positive:

1. Her first name is Emily.
2. My first name is not common.

Negative:

1. Her first name isn’t Laura.
2. My first name isn’t hard to spell.

Questions:

1. What’s her first name?
2. Is her first name Anna?

Answers:

1. Her first name is Sophia.
2. No, her first name is not Anna; it’s Clara.

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CONVERSATION

Emma: Hi, Peter. Who’s that new student?
Peter: Oh, that’s Sarah.
Emma: What’s her first name?
Peter: Her first name is Sarah.
Emma: And her last name?
Peter: It’s Brown.
Emma: Thanks! I’ll introduce myself to her later.

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READING

"The New Neighbor"

When Emma moved into her new apartment, she quickly noticed that the neighbor next door was very friendly. One day, the neighbor knocked on Emma’s door with a plate of cookies. She smiled and said, “Hi, my name is Lucy. What’s your name?” Emma replied, “My name is Emma. It’s nice to meet you, Lucy.”

After a short chat, Emma learned that Lucy’s full name was Lucy Carter. Emma thought Lucy was a lovely name. She also found out that Lucy’s husband was named John and that their dog’s name was Max. Lucy invited Emma to come over for coffee sometime, and Emma happily agreed.

Questions and Answers:

1. Q: What’s the neighbor’s first name?
   A: The neighbor’s first name is Lucy.

2. Q: What’s Lucy’s full name?
   A: Lucy’s full name is Lucy Carter.

3. Q: What’s the dog’s name?
   A: The dog’s name is Max.

4. Q: What did Lucy bring to Emma?
   A: Lucy brought a plate of cookies.

5. Q: Did Emma agree to have coffee with Lucy?
   A: Yes, she happily agreed.