Spanish Phrase
¿A nombre de quién?
Meaning
This question asks for the name under which something is registered, such as a reservation, ticket, or account. It directly translates to “In whose name?” and is used to verify the holder’s identity.
When to use
Use it at hotels, airlines, banks, or any service where a reservation or transaction is made under a person's name. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, though the tone can be adjusted with politeness markers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Anombredequién?
Preposition "a" with "nombre de"
The preposition "a" introduces the phrase "nombre de" to ask whose name something is under, similar to "in the name of" in English.
Interrogative pronoun "quién"
When used after a preposition, "quién" keeps the accent and means "who"; it never loses the accent in questions.
Question marks
Spanish requires both opening (¿) and closing (?) question marks for any interrogative sentence.
🗨In Conversation
¿A nombre de quién?
In whose name?
A nombre de María García.
In the name of María García.
✕Common Mistakes
¿A nombre de quien?
The interrogative pronoun always carries an accent: "quién".
A nombre de quién?
Spanish requires both opening (¿) and closing (?) question marks.
¿A nombre de de quién?
Only one "de" is needed; "¿A nombre de quién?" is correct, not "¿A nombre de de quién?".
↔Alternatives
¿En nombre de quién?
In whose name?
¿A nombre de quién está la reserva?
Under whose name is the reservation?
¿Quien es el titular?
Who is the holder?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, providing the name of the reservation holder is a standard security step. When speaking to staff, a polite tone and a brief “por favor” can make the interaction smoother. Note that the phrase "¿A nombre de quién?" is neutral; you can add "por favor" or "disculpe" for extra courtesy.