馃嚢馃嚜 Swahili phrases

How to Say "What's your name?" in Swahili

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Jina lako ni nani?
"What's your name?" in Swahili 路 say it like jee-nah lah-koh nee nah-nee

The most natural way to say "What's your name?" in Swahili is Jina lako ni nani?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Unaitwaje?
A more casual way to ask someone their name.
Ninapenda kujua jina lako.
A polite way to express interest in knowing someone's name.

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to introduce yourself or meet someone new. It is a friendly and straightforward way to ask for someone's name. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "What's your name?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Swahili

SwahiliEnglish
Habari, jina lako ni nani?Hello, what is your name?
Common mistake
Learners often forget to use the correct word order, which should start with 'jina' (name).

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Jina lako ni nani?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Swahili with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this phrase in a formal setting?

Yes, it is appropriate for both formal and informal situations.

Learn Swahili by speaking it

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