your good name

English

Etymology

In modern South English, likely calque of Bengali ভালো নাম (bhalō nam), Hindi शुभ नाम (śubh nām, literally “good name”), and similar collocations in other Indian languages.

Good has a sense similar to honourable, as in older English phrases such as “good sir” or “your good wife”.

Phrase

your good name

1. (respectful, South Asia, also archaic UK) Your name.
   • 1838, Bentley's Miscellany: Proceedings of the Wide Awake Club, page 361:

     ‘Society ought to be proud of such men as you, Mr. – what is your good name, sir?’ – ‘Phiggins, at your service.’

   • 1972, Narinder Chadha, The drop out:

     'That must be your nick name. But what's your good name ?' 'I ain't get any bad name only one name Goofy.' She laughs. 'It's a funny name for a man.'

   • 1998, Civacaṅkari, Knit India Through Literature: The East:

     The man moved a little away and cleaned himself. "And your good name?" "You can call me Satyadas."

   • 2004, Michael Muhammad Knight, The taqwacores:

     “What's your good name?” I asked him. “Marcos,” he replied.

   • 2004, James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger, Travelers' Tales India: True Stories:

     What is your good name, sahib?