"What is your good name?" is a polite way to ask someone's name in Indian English, where "good name" mirrors the courteous Hindi phrase shubh naam. It's genuinely respectful, but US, UK, and Canadian natives don't use "good name" at all. They ask just as politely with "What's your name?", "Could I get your name?", or "Sorry — and your name?"
To a native ear, "good name" sounds oddly formal and slightly unfamiliar. "Name" on its own is already neutral, and there's no "bad name" to contrast it with, so listeners often pause on the phrase. The intent reads as polite; the phrasing reads as non-native.
The fix is easy: ask for the name directly. The native versions are already perfectly courteous without "good."
Ask for the name directly instead of adding "good":
Instead of
"What is your good name?"
Write
"What's your name?"
The native version is already perfectly polite on its own — "good" adds formality natives don't expect and don't use.
Instead of
"May I know your good name?"
Write
"Could I get your name?"
"Could I get..." is the standard courteous ask at reception or on a call; it sounds warm without "good name."
Instead of
"Sir, your good name please?"
Write
"Sorry — and your name?"
A light "sorry — and..." is how natives ask politely mid-conversation; it keeps the respect while dropping the over-formal phrasing.
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