Italian Phrase
A nome di chi?
Meaning
Literally “In the name of who?”, this question asks whose name or authority is being invoked. It is used when you want to know on whose behalf an action is being performed or a document is being signed.
When to use
Use this phrase in formal or semi‑formal situations: signing a contract, making a request on someone’s behalf, or when you hear a statement that seems to be justified by an authority and you want clarification. It can also appear in everyday conversation when someone claims to act for another person.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Anomedichi
A (preposition)
The preposition "a" here means “in” or “on behalf of” and introduces the fixed expression "a nome di".
nome (noun)
"nome" means “name”. In the phrase it functions as part of the idiom "a nome di".
di (preposition)
"di" means “of”. It links the noun "nome" with the interrogative pronoun that follows.
chi (interrogative pronoun)
"chi" means “who”. When placed after "di" it asks about the owner of the name.
Fixed expression "a nome di"
Together, "a nome di" is a set phrase meaning “in the name of”. It is often used in legal, formal, or official contexts.
🗨In Conversation
A nome di chi?
In whose name?
A nome di mio padre, sto firmando il contratto.
I'm signing the contract in my father's name.
✕Common Mistakes
Di chi?
Missing the fixed expression "a nome di" changes the meaning; "di chi?" only asks "whose?" without the sense of acting on behalf of someone.
A nome di lui?
When the referent is a specific person, you should use the proper pronoun case: "A nome suo?" or "A nome di lui" is acceptable only in very informal speech; the standard form is "A nome di lui" but many native speakers prefer "A nome suo".
In nome di chi?
While "in nome di" is also correct, beginners often mix the two prepositions. Stick to one form per sentence to avoid sounding awkward.
↔Alternatives
In nome di chi?
In whose name?
Per chi?
For whom?
Chi è il firmatario?
Who is the signatory?
Cultural Tip
In Italian, "a nome di" (or the slightly more common "in nome di") is the go‑to construction for indicating authority or representation. It appears frequently in legal documents, official letters, and even in religious contexts (e.g., "a nome di Dio"). When speaking informally, Italians may simply say "di chi?" but that loses the nuance of acting on someone's behalf.