NewStats: 3,263,467 , 8,180,217 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 04:42 AM 6148b

*DON’T WRITE YOUR SURNAME BEFORE YOUR FIRST NAME*

People must understand that the arrangement of names is standard across the globe. When you’re asked to mention or write your name, call/write your first name first before any other names and the name that comes last is presumed to be your last name/surname. For example, if you’re James and your surname is John, in writing your name, write James John not the other way round.

All over the globe, the standard practice is:
First name
Middle name(s) if any
Surname or Last Name

However, if you write your surname first, always put comma so that readers can identify it as such. For example, if you write *John, James* a reader will know that John is your surname and James is your first name.

Another acceptable practice is — you write your surname in caps and keep the first name in lower keys. For instance, *JOHN James* will communicate to every reader that your surname is John and your first name is James.

Also, if you want to introduce yourself with your titles, mention the first name first in the sequence. For example; I am
*Prof/Dr./Rev./Mr. James John*
It tells a reader that James is your first name while John is your last. In instances where you mention your surname first after your title, don’t add your first name. For example, “Hello, I am Mr. John” don’t add your first name James.

People are losing juicy jobs due to these minor mistakes they make at job interviews. Stop mentioning your surname before your first name. Surnames always come last that’s why in some jurisdictions, they specifically call it your *Last Name*.

Credit: https://www.ox.ac.uk/issions/undergraduate/courses-listing/english-language-and-literature?wssl=1#

Thank you!!

I tell people this a lot but they don't listen. Even after giving examples. You don't hear them saying Obama Barack or Trump Donald. Or even Buhari Muhammad. But then. . .someone will be arguing with me that its surname first. I wonder how this 'practice' originated in Nigeria sef. I always go the extra mile to make sure I get my surname written in all caps- or a comma placed before my name (or both).

Thanks.

Informative
But you are identified by your surname at your place of work.
Dr Surname H.A.

Maybe it's an official thing in Nigerian too, because even when you are filling most forms in Nigeria be it online or hardcopy, you are usually required to write the surname first

The simple rule is, when spoken either you use only surname or first name and surname NEVER surname and first name.

In writing use either Mr. James John or Mr John or John, James or JOHN James.
Where John is the surname.
NEVER use only first name in documents

heykims:
Informative
But you are identified by your surname at your place of work.
Dr Surname H.A.

The post reads 'How to Write Your Name Officially'. Stick to the topic please.

AnonyNymous:
I tell people this a lot but they don't listen. Even after giving examples. You don't here them saying Obama Barack or Trump Donald. Or even Buhari Muhammad. But then. . .someone will be arguing with me that its surname first. I wonder how this 'practice' originated in Nigeria sef. I always go the extra mile to make sure I get my surname written in all caps- or a comma placed before my name (or both).

The confusion starts during primary and secondary schools where for attendance sake and uniformity, surname has to come first, which was kind of understandable however, it became a problem when the students who have gotten used to being called by surname-firstname arrangement, now see it as a norm

I when this op was playing around in jokes section those years

bingbagbo nice & informative post

heykims:
Informative
But you are identified by your surname at your place of work.
Dr Surname H.A.

There should be a comma after the surname, still. Or written in all caps. Or both. That is, Dr. SURNAME, H.A . Or, SURNAME, H.A (PhD). Otherwise its still written the way the OP said. For example, Professor K.A Stroud, Professor R.K Rajput. If you studied Engineering I think these names should be familiar to you.

Nice info you got here!

Thank you. Learned something here.

Good one,op

I have learnt sth today.

Welldone

Its not practice all over the globe. On CV, surname comes before the first name

Its different in Nigeria

Kai, thanks for these correction.
How many Nigerians care?
Lets enlightened others.

Nice info

Good writ

Thanks for the info

phemmyfour:
Its not practice all over the globe. On CV, surname comes before the first name

That's not true. It should carry the comma after it or be in all CAPS. That's the right way as the OP explained.

I'm impressed.

Taken

Cool

OK. Now i know.

The one that annoys me most is when I see graduates writing or begin their surnames with small letters.

It annoys me when people write the first letter of any name with small letter. Eg flyca instead of Flyca

It's a proper noun for heaven's sake!

By the way, FLYCA looks like you are screaming the name!

DEEPWATER North Sea

Deepwater, North Sea

DEEPWATER NORTH SEA

North Sea Deepwater

N. S Deepwater (Capt.)

In Nigeria, the ugly name is always the surname

Thanks @opp. I am always in dilemma coz of this issue. on my certificate, my name arrangement is first name, middle nam, then surname name respectively- which i believe should b d norm.

I attended an human resource seminar, which i asked the question. the woman said it should b in the respective format of surname, middle name and first name. so i do follow this trend and also, i believe its more common in our society.

moreover, most of the HR are not even aware of the official format. And also, i beleive these arrangements are dependent on countries. The Brits follow ur assertion while i think the americans varry.

very grateful