which name is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which name is' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to introduce the name of the person, place, or thing you are referring to. For example: "I have a cousin who lives in New York, which name is Paul."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

(The show might more properly have been called "Valenciennes to Monet", Corot being three years old when Elements of Practical Perspective was published; but you can guess which name is likely to draw the larger crowd).

Independent

Steve Harvey is considering which name is a better alias for when he escapes the country to start a new life as a simple farmhand, Max Power or Armando Papadopalous.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Forestalling a discussion about which name is the most appropriate one in quantum mechanics, we use the name 'uncertainty principle' simply because it is the most common one in the literature.

SEP

A proponent of Lycan's view could however respond along the following lines: In the case of qualia names within belief contexts it does not matter which name is used to refer to the quale at issue as long as the belief is meant in the sense of a phenomenal belief ascription.

SEP

Tracing the naming of what is now known as the Holocaust is one example of how naming is often a matter of trial and error before there is a consensus about which name is appropriate for the experience that has traumatized a group and which that social group wishes to embed in its collective/institutional memory and pass on to future generations (1970a, 174).

SEP

See the maps below to find out which name is most popular for baby boys and girls in your state.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Which name was that, Jacobson asked, and from whom did I pinch it?

The Guardian - Books

The fact that the bail could be dislodged when the wicket was struck made this preferable to the stump, which name was later applied to the hurdle uprights.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In order to maximize the inclusion of species, we also included species which name was classified as 'no opinon' in the TNRS.

Forest Ecosystems

In the recent literature on the cultural politics of naming, toponyms and street names are increasingly read within the wider social historical context upon which naming is contingent.

Journal of Historical Geography

The present experiments use an over-learned stimulus set (at least for experts) for which naming is not an integral component of their expert behavior.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which name is" to introduce a query when there are multiple potential names or options. This implies a selection from a defined set.

Common error

Avoid using "what name is" when "which name is" is more appropriate. "Which" implies a selection from a known set of options, while "what" is used when the options are unknown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which name is" functions as an interrogative phrase, used to initiate a question seeking to identify or select a name from a set of possibilities. As Ludwig AI explains, it implies that there are multiple options to choose from.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which name is" serves as an interrogative phrase used to ask for the identity of a name, especially when there are multiple options. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a range of contexts, from neutral news reports to more formal academic or scientific writing. It's crucial to use "which" when selecting from a known set of names, and to avoid confusing it with "what", which is used when the options are unknown. Examples are common in both News & Media and scientific contexts, further solidifying its place in general usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what name is it

Replaces "which" with "what" and rephrases the sentence to focus on identifying a specific name.

what is the name

Reorders the sentence to emphasize the identification of the name itself.

what name do you use

Shifts the focus to the name being used, implying a selection process.

which designation applies

Substitutes "name" with "designation" to inquire about an official title or label.

which identifier is used

Replaces "name" with "identifier" to ask about a formal identification label.

what moniker is preferred

Uses the synonym "moniker" for "name" to inquire about a preferred or informal title.

what appellation is correct

Replaces "name" with the more formal "appellation" and asks about correctness.

what label should I use

Shifts the focus to the appropriate label or name to use.

which title is appropriate

Uses "title" instead of "name" to ask about a suitable title for something.

how is it named

Changes the structure to ask about the process or manner of naming.

FAQs

How do I use "which name is" in a sentence?

Use "which name is" to inquire about the specific name among a limited set of known options. For example, "We are deciding between 'Robert' and 'Michael', "which name is" better?"

What's the difference between "which name is" and "what is the name"?

"Which name is" implies a selection from a known set of options, whereas "what is the name" is used when you don't know the options. For example, "Which name is more common, 'John' or 'James'?" vs. "What is the name of the new employee?"

Can I use "which name is" to refer to a single, specific entity?

While grammatically possible, it's more natural to use "what is the name" when referring to a single, unknown entity. "What is the name of the book?" is preferred over "Which name is the name of the book?"

Are there situations where "what name is" would be preferable to "which name is"?

Yes, if you are asking for clarification or confirmation of a name that you believe you already know, "what is the name" can be used. Example: "I thought her name was Sarah, but what is the name, actually?"