catch your name

USAGE SUMMARY

"catch your name" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used in conversational or informal contexts to ask someone to repeat or clarify their name. Example: During a networking event, two people are introduced: Person A: Hi, my name is Liz. Nice to meet you. Person B: Sorry, I didn't catch your name. Could you say it again?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I didn't catch your name.

The New Yorker

hahaha — didn't catch your name btw. . .

The New Yorker

We were introduced, but I didn't catch your name because it's so noisy at this party.

The New York Times

So I claim as a guess that the Nash Equilibrium is each player, both players, each player chooses and I'm going to call it 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 in other words, each player is playing the mixed strategy 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 which I'm sorry I didn't catch your name, your name is? Professor Ben Polak: Which is Moses' recommended strategy.

Yale University

"Sorry, I didn't catch your name".

Huffington Post

So finally he's getting up to leave and Joe says, 'I didn't catch your name, what was it again?' The guy says George.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Which I laughed off but seriously you're incredibly cute and even though I caught your name I was too shy to ask for your number.

The New York Times

Something along the lines of "I'm sorry but I didn't catch your full name Madam" should work.

WikiHow

Think of what name would catch your eye.

WikiHow

Presumably, that means being comfortable enough with whomever you hire to give them access to your account so they can catch in your name — and get all the benefits of exercise and social interaction for you as well.

The Washington Post

The catch: putting your name on the door of the elite institution would take more than just a passion for education.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "catch your name" in a professional setting, follow up with a polite phrase such as "It's a pleasure to meet you" to maintain a cordial tone.

Common error

Avoid using "catch your name" in extremely formal situations, such as addressing a superior for the first time. Opt for a more direct and respectful approach like, "I apologize, I didn't hear your name clearly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch your name" functions as an idiomatic expression used in conversation. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it politely indicates that the speaker did not clearly hear or understand someone's name and is requesting a repetition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "catch your name" is a polite and idiomatic way of asking someone to repeat their name. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct English. While grammatically sound and commonly used, especially in News & Media, its register leans towards informal to neutral, making it suitable for everyday conversations but potentially less fitting for very formal settings. Related phrases include "didn't get your name" and "didn't hear your name". When using "catch your name", remember to maintain a friendly tone and be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't get your name

Replaces "catch" with "get", maintaining the same meaning of not hearing or understanding the name.

didn't hear your name

Substitutes "catch" with "hear", focusing on the auditory aspect of missing the name.

missed your name

Uses "missed" instead of "catch", suggesting a slight inattentiveness.

what was your name again

This is a direct question asking for the name to be repeated, implying the first attempt was unsuccessful.

could you repeat your name

A polite request for the name to be said again.

I am sorry, what was your name

Expresses regret for not hearing the name initially.

I didn't quite hear you

Focuses on the speaker's inability to hear clearly, prompting repetition of the name.

please, your name again

A direct and slightly formal way of asking for the name to be repeated.

can you spell your name

Asks for the spelling of the name, useful when the pronunciation is unclear.

I'm sorry, I didn't understand your name

Emphasizes a lack of understanding rather than a failure to hear.

FAQs

What does it mean to "catch" someone's name?

When you "catch" someone's name, it means you failed to hear or understand it the first time and need them to repeat it.

Is it rude to ask someone to repeat their name?

Not necessarily. Politely asking someone to repeat their name, especially by saying "Sorry, I didn't "catch your name"," is a common and accepted way to ensure you heard it correctly.

What are some alternative ways to say I didn't hear someone's name?

You can use alternatives like "I didn't "get your name"", "I didn't "hear your name"", or "I missed your name depending on the situation.

How can I avoid forgetting someone's name after they tell it to me?

Try repeating their name back to them when you first meet, or using it in conversation shortly after being introduced. Visual cues and associations can also help you remember.