Name vs Signature

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Name

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 noun

Signature

Top 2,000 (common) B2 noun

Most common: Name

	Name	Signature
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/neɪm/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/neɪm/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪɡnətʃə(r)/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪɡnətʃər/"]/
Meaning	A word that shows who someone is.	A person's name written in a special way.
Example	My name is Sarah and I love to read.	Please add your signature at the bottom of the form to confirm your agreement.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	A1	B2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Collocations	Christian, first, given, have, bear, carry, appear, sound…, imply something, badge, tag, plate, by name, by the name of, in somebody/​something’s name, a change of name, give your name to something, a list of names, big, good, bad, have, become, make, name for, somebody’s name is mud, big, familiar, famous	illegible, handwritten, valid, put, scrawl, scribble, illegible, handwritten, valid, put, scrawl, scribble, characteristic, distinctive, telltale, detect, bear, leave, signature of
Antonyms	unknown, anonymous	anonymous, unsigned
Common mistakes	Confusing 'name' with 'title', forgetting they are different concepts., Using 'name' as a verb incorrectly, such as 'I name the car'., Not capitalizing proper nouns when referring to names.	Confused with 'autograph' — an autograph is usually meant for fans., Misused in phrases like 'signature dish' when talking about a name., Incorrectly spelled as 'signiture'.
Usage notes	Use 'name' when talking about someone's personal title or identity. Avoid using it in very formal documents where titles may be more appropriate.	Use 'signature' when referring to someone's written name, especially on official documents. Avoid in casual situations where handwriting is not the focus.

See it in real clips

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Name?

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

You have a name, an inheritance.

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Just her name.

Band Of Brothers › S1 E1

Name?

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

You have a name, an inheritance.

Name

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

The phone you filmed the Hooded Hero with had the same cryptographic signature

Breaking Bad › S1 E1

No, no. Chili P's my signature.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

The phone you filmed the Hooded Hero with had the same cryptographic signature

Breaking Bad › S1 E1

No, no. Chili P's my signature.

Signature

Frequently asked questions: Name vs Signature

What's the difference between Name and Signature?

Name: A word that shows who someone is. Signature: A person's name written in a special way.

Which is more common: Name and Signature?

Name is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Name and Signature?

Signature is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Name and Signature the same CEFR level?

Name: A1, Signature: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Name and Signature?

Name: noun, Signature: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Name: My name is Sarah and I love to read. Signature: Please add your signature at the bottom of the form to confirm your agreement.

Can I use Name and Signature interchangeably?

Not always. Name and Signature are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.