German Phrase
Welcher Name?
Meaning
A short, direct question asking for a specific name among several possibilities. It can be used when you need to identify a person, a brand, a title, or any label that is referred to as a ‘name’.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are looking at a list, a form, or a conversation where multiple names are mentioned and you need clarification about which one is meant.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WelcherName?
Welcher (interrogative adjective)
‘Welcher’ is the masculine nominative form of the interrogative adjective meaning ‘which’, and it must agree in gender, case, and number with the noun it modifies.
Name (masculine noun)
‘Name’ is a masculine noun in the nominative singular; its article would be ‘der’ in a declarative sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Welcher Name steht auf dem Vertrag?
Which name is on the contract?
Der Name ist Schmidt.
The name is Schmidt.
✕Common Mistakes
Welche Name?
‘Name’ is masculine, so the correct interrogative adjective is ‘Welcher’, not ‘Welche’.
Was Name?
‘Was’ is used for ‘what’ with neuter nouns or abstract concepts, not with masculine nouns like ‘Name’.
Welcher Namen?
‘Namen’ is the dative or plural form; the question is in nominative singular, so it should stay ‘Name’.
↔Alternatives
Wie lautet der Name?
What is the name?
Unter welchem Namen?
Under which name?
Welcher Name ist gemeint?
Which name is meant?
Cultural Tip
In German, the interrogative adjective must match the gender of the noun. ‘Welcher’ is used with masculine nouns, ‘welche’ with feminine and plural, and ‘welches’ with neuter. Using the wrong form (e.g., *‘Welche Name?’) is a common error for learners. In formal contexts you might also hear the full sentence ‘Wie lautet Ihr Name?’ when asking for a person's name politely.