if you go by a nickname

Question

In English, if a person is called by something other than his first name, he might say, "My name is Chauncey, but I go by Spike." Does "Mi nombre es Chauncey pero me llamo Spike" get the same idea across, or is that more like saying, "My name is Chauncey, but my name is Spike"?

Answer 1

Hi there!

Your second assumption is correct because in Spanish me llamo = mi nombre es. I think that you are looking for the following:

• Mi nombre es Chauncey pero (todos) me llaman Spike. - My name is Chauncey but everybody calls me Spike.

Ah, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks! - AnnRon, Sep 19, 2013

Answer 2

"My name is Chauncey, but I go by Spike."

For this we normally would say: Mi nombre es Chauncy pero me llaman Spike / Me llamo Chauncy pero (mis amigos, familia, etc) me llaman Spike.

Thanks - Mainer, Sep 19, 2013

Answer 3

I have a slight problem with that. I understand the point that RC is putting across but strictly speaking me llamo is not the same as mi nombre es. Me llamo is I am called so it seems to me both are acceptable. I am not advanced so maybe way off track but it would be nice to know the scoop.

You are right. It's not the same. But I can assure you that "me llamo" and "mi nombre es" are 99% the same thing. - RelaxingCup, Sep 19, 2013

Thank you - Mainer, Sep 19, 2013