The difference between "mi nombre es ..." and "Me llamo ... "

Question

Please can someone tell me the difference, and when I can use the words, "mi nombre es...." and "me llamo....", when saying "my name is ...." Mucho gracias.

Hi sateah...I'm very new to Spanish so correct me if I'm wrong but I think it should be 'muchas gracias', not 'mucho gracias' as gracias is feminine. - 0095ca4c, Apr 3, 2012

Muchas gracias Margherite, for correcting my use of "muchas gracias" - I was wrong, but can see that 'gracias' is feminine so 'muchas' must be feminine too. So thanks again - sateah, Apr 4, 2012

Answer 1

Mi nombre es ..... = my name is

Me llamo ...... (no es) = I'm called

Answer 2

It´s more common to say "Me llamo ..." during an introduction to someone, although you can also say "Soy Missy". Unless you were referring to your name directly, meaning the word itself, you could say "Mi nombre es..."

And it should be "Me llamo..." because "llamo" is a verb, not a noun. You are literally saying "I call myself ...." so the "me" is there to show the reflexive aspect of the question.

Although most grammar books will agree with you about llamarse being reflexive, you might find this interesting http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/204091/me-llamo-i-call-myself - Kiwi-Girl, Apr 3, 2012