German Phrase
Auf welchen Namen?
Meaning
Literally ‘On which name?’, the phrase is used to ask under which name a reservation, account, order, or document is registered. It is a concise, polite way to request that information.
When to use
Use it at hotels, restaurants, banks, ticket counters, or any service desk when you need to confirm the name a booking or transaction is filed under. It works both in spoken and written German, especially in formal or semi‑formal contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
AufwelchenNamen?
Preposition ‘auf’ + Accusative
When ‘auf’ indicates a direction or target (as in asking for a name), it governs the accusative case.
Interrogative ‘welcher’ declension
‘Welcher’ changes with gender, number and case. Here it is masculine singular accusative → ‘welchen’.
Masculine noun ‘Name’ in accusative
The noun ‘Name’ is masculine; its accusative singular form adds –n → ‘Namen’.
🗨In Conversation
Auf welchen Namen?
Under what name?
Auf den Namen Müller, bitte.
Under the name Müller, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Auf welcher Namen?
‘Welcher’ is nominative; the phrase needs accusative after ‘auf’, so use ‘welchen’.
Auf welchen Name?
The noun must be in accusative singular, which adds –n: ‘Namen’.
Auf den Namen?
‘Den’ is correct for a statement (e.g., ‘Auf den Namen Müller’), but as a question you need the interrogative ‘welchen’.
↔Alternatives
Unter welchem Namen?
Under which name?
Auf welchen Namen ist die Buchung?
Under what name is the reservation?
Wie lautet der Name?
What is the name?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries it is common to ask for the name with ‘auf’ or ‘unter’ in service situations. ‘Auf welchen Namen?’ sounds slightly more formal than the everyday ‘Wie heißt es?’, and it is preferred when dealing with paperwork or official records. Remember to keep a polite tone – adding ‘Bitte’ after the answer is customary.