Name vs. Signature — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
A name is a word or set of words by which a person is known, identified, or referred to, whereas a signature is a person's handwritten depiction of their name or a unique mark, used for authorization and identity verification.
Difference Between Name and Signature
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Names are assigned at birth or through legal change and are primarily used for identification and communication purposes. Whereas signatures are developed as a unique representation of one’s name to authorize documents and confirm identity.
The function of a name is to identify a person within a community or society. On the other hand, a signature serves a legal and formal purpose, often used to verify the authenticity of documents or agreements.
Names can be given or changed legally without much restriction, usually reflecting personal or cultural identity. Conversely, signatures can be more fluid and stylistic, sometimes even including simple marks or symbols instead of legible names.
In digital communication and identification, names are used straightforwardly as part of an individual's profile. Signatures, however, have adapted to include digital versions, which are used in electronic documents and transactions.
The legibility of names is typically important for clear identification and communication. In contrast, signatures may not always be legible and often serve more as a stylized, personal mark.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Identification and communication
Authorization and identity verification
Form
Given or legal name
Handwritten or digital mark
Changeability
Can be legally changed
Can be altered but should remain consistent for legal purposes
Usage
Common in daily use and documentation
Primarily used in formal and legal contexts
Legibility
Important for clear communication
Not required, often stylized
Compare with Definitions
Name
Essential for administrative and legal documents.
Names must be clearly printed on all legal forms.
Signature
A person's name written in a unique way for signing documents.
She practiced her signature for hours.
Name
Can be changed through legal means, reflecting personal choices.
He changed his name after marriage.
Signature
Legally binding as a method of consent and verification.
Signatures are required to complete the sale.
Name
Used universally for identification and social interaction.
Her name appears on her driver's license.
Signature
May include symbols or abbreviated forms of a name.
His signature includes an initial and a squiggle.
Name
The word or set of words by which a person is identified.
Jessica Parker is known by her first and last name.
Signature
Digitally adapted in modern transactions.
Digital signatures are used for online banking.
Name
Includes personal, family, or given names.
In many cultures, the family name follows the given name.
Signature
Essential for contracts, checks, and legal documents.
The contract isn't valid until both parties provide their signatures.
Name
A name is a term used for identification by an external observer. They can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context.
Signature
A signature (; from Latin: signare, "to sign") is a handwritten (and often stylized) depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. The writer of a signature is a signatory or signer.
Name
A word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, addressed, or referred to
My name is John Parsons
Köln is the German name for Cologne
Signature
A person's name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification in authorizing a cheque or document or concluding a letter
The signature of a senior manager
Name
A famous person
The big race will lure the top names
Signature
Short for key signature or time signature
Name
(in the UK) an insurance underwriter belonging to a Lloyd's syndicate.
Signature
A letter or figure printed at the foot of one or more pages of each sheet of a book as a guide in binding.
Name
Give a name to
Hundreds of diseases had not yet been isolated or named
She decided to name the child Edward
Signature
The part of a medical prescription that gives instructions about the use of the medicine or drug prescribed.
Name
Specify (a sum, time, or place) as something desired, suggested, or decided on
The club have asked United to name their price for the striker
Signature
One's name as written by oneself.
Name
(of a person or product) having a well-known name
Specialized name brands geared to niche markets
Signature
The act of signing one's name.
Name
A word or words by which an entity is designated and distinguished from others.
Signature
See e-signature.
Name
A word or group of words used to describe or evaluate, often disparagingly
Don't call me names.
Signature
A distinctive mark, characteristic, or sound indicating identity
A surprise ending is the signature of an O. Henry short story.
Name
Representation or repute, as opposed to reality
A democracy in name, a police state in fact.
Signature
(Medicine) The part of a physician's prescription containing directions to the patient.
Name
A reputation
Has a bad name.
Signature
A sign used to indicate key.
Name
A distinguished reputation
Made a name for himself as a drummer.
Signature
A sign used to indicate tempo.
Name
An illustrious or outstanding person
Joined several famous names for a photograph.
Signature
A letter, number, or symbol placed at the bottom of the first page on each sheet of printed pages of a book as a guide to the proper sequence of the sheets in binding.
Name
To give a name to
Named the child after both grandparents.
Signature
A large sheet printed with four or a multiple of four pages that when folded becomes a section of the book.
Name
To mention, specify, or cite by name
Named the primary colors.
Signature
See chemical signature.
Name
To call by an epithet
Named them all cowards.
Signature
A person's name, written by that person, used as identification or to signify approval of accompanying material, such as a legal contract.
Name
To nominate for or appoint to a duty, office, or honor.
Signature
An act of signing one's name; an act of producing a signature.
Name
To specify or fix
We need to name the time for our meeting.
Signature
(medicine) The part of a doctor’s prescription containing directions for the patient.
Name
Well-known by a name
A name performer.
Signature
(music) Signs on the stave indicating key and tempo, composed of the key signature and the time signature.
Name
Any nounal word or phrase which indicates a particular person, place, class, or thing.
I've never liked the name my parents gave me so I changed it at the age of twenty.
What's your name?
Puddintane. Ask me again and I'll tell you the same.
Puddintane. Ask me again and I'll tell you the same.
Signature
(printing) A group of four (or a multiple of four) sheets printed such that, when folded, they become a section of a book.
Name
Reputation.
Signature
(computing) A pattern used for matching the identity of a virus, the parameter types of a method, etc.
Name
An abusive or insulting epithet.
Stop calling me names!
Signature
(cryptography) Data attached to a message that guarantees that the message originated from its claimed source.
Name
A person (or legal person).
Signature
(figurative) A mark or sign of implication.
Name
Those of a certain name; a race; a family.
Signature
A dish that is characteristic of a particular chef.
Name
Authority; behalf.
Halt in the name of the law!
Signature
(mathematics) A tuple specifying the sign of coefficients in any diagonal form of a quadratic form.
Name
(computing) A unique identifier, generally a string of characters.
Signature
A resemblance between the external character of a disease and those of some physical agent, for instance, that existing between the red skin of scarlet fever and a red cloth; supposed to indicate this agent in the treatment of the disease.
Name
An investor in Lloyds of London bearing unlimited liability.
Signature
(internet) Text (or images, etc.) appended to a user's emails, newsgroup posts, forum posts, etc. as a way of adding a personal touch or including contact details.
Your signature must not exceed three lines of text, or 600 pixels in height.
Forum signature generator
Name
Any of several types of true yam (Dioscorea) used in Caribbean Spanish cooking.
Signature
Distinctive, characteristic, indicative of identity.
Rabbit in mustard sauce is my signature dish.
The signature route of the airline is its daily flight between Buenos Aires and Madrid.
Name
(ditransitive) To give a name to.
One visitor named Hou Yugang said he was not too concerned about climate change and Baishui’s melting.
Signature
A sign, stamp, or mark impressed, as by a seal.
The brain, being well furnished with various traces, signatures, and images.
The natural and indelible signature of God, which human souls . . . are supposed to be stamped with.
Name
(transitive) To mention, specify.
He named his demands.
You name it!
You have to pot the ball in the pocket you've named.
Signature
Especially, the name of any person, written with his own hand, employed to signify that the writing which precedes accords with his wishes or intentions; a sign manual; an autograph.
Name
(transitive) To identify as relevant or important
Naming the problem
Signature
An outward mark by which internal characteristics were supposed to be indicated.
Some plants bear a very evident signature of their nature and use.
Name
(transitive) To publicly implicate by name.
The painter was named as an accomplice.
Signature
A resemblance between the external characters of a disease and those of some physical agent, for instance, that existing between the red skin of scarlet fever and a red cloth; - supposed to indicate this agent in the treatment of the disease.
Name
To disclose the name of.
Police are not naming the suspect as he is a minor.
Signature
The designation of the key (when not C major, or its relative, A minor) by means of one or more sharps or flats at the beginning of the staff, immediately after the clef, affecting all notes of the same letter throughout the piece or movement. Each minor key has the same signature as its relative major.
Name
(transitive) To designate for a role.
My neighbor was named to the steering committee.
Signature
A letter or figure placed at the bottom of the first page of each sheet of a book or pamphlet, as a direction to the binder in arranging and folding the sheets.
Name
To initiate a process to temporarily remove a member of parliament who is breaking the rules of conduct.
Signature
That part of a prescription which contains the directions to the patient. It is usually prefaced by S or Sig. (an abbreviation for the Latin signa, imperative of signare to sign or mark).
Name
The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.
Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
What's in a name? That which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet.
Signature
To mark with, or as with, a signature or signatures.
Name
A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts.
His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Signature
Your name written in your own handwriting
Name
Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction.
What men of name resort to him?
Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom.
He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin.
The king's army . . . had left no good name behind.
Signature
A distinguishing style;
This room needs a woman's touch
Name
Those of a certain name; a race; a family.
The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities.
Signature
A melody used to identify a performer or a dance band or radio/tv program
Name
A person, an individual.
They list with women each degenerate name.
Signature
The sharps or flats that follow the clef and indicate the key
Name
To give a distinctive name or appellation to; to entitle; to denominate; to style; to call.
She named the child Ichabod.
Thus was the building leftRidiculous, and the work Confusion named.
Signature
A sheet with several pages printed on it; it folds to page size and is bound with other signatures to form a book
Name
To mention by name; to utter or publish the name of; to refer to by distinctive title; to mention.
None named thee but to praise.
Old Yew, which graspest at the stonesThat name the underlying dead.
Name
To designate by name or specifically for any purpose; to nominate; to specify; to appoint; as, to name a day for the wedding; to name someone as ambassador.
Whom late you have named for consul.
Name
To designate (a member) by name, as the Speaker does by way of reprimand.
Name
A language unit by which a person or thing is known;
His name really is George Washington
Those are two names for the same thing
Name
By the sanction or authority of;
Halt in the name of the law
Name
A person's reputation;
He wanted to protect his good name
Name
A well-known or notable person;
They studied all the great names in the history of France
She is an important figure in modern music
Name
Family based on male descent;
He had no sons and there was no one to carry on his name
Name
A defamatory or abusive word or phrase;
Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me
Name
Assign a specified, proper name to;
They named their son David
The new school was named after the famous Civil Rights leader
Name
Give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property;
Many senators were named in connection with the scandal
The almanac identifies the auspicious months
Name
Charge with a function; charge to be;
She was named Head of the Committee
She was made president of the club
Name
Create and charge with a task or function;
Nominate a committee
Name
Mention and identify by name;
Name your accomplices!
Name
Identify as in botany or biology, for example
Name
Make reference to;
His name was mentioned in connection with the invention
Name
Give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of;
List the states west of the Mississippi
Name
Determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis
Common Curiosities
What is a signature?
A handwritten or digital form of someone's name that serves as a proof of identity and intent.
Can a signature be something other than a name?
Yes, it can include symbols or abbreviated versions of a name.
What is a name?
A term used to identify and refer to an individual.
How are names and signatures used differently?
Names are used for identification and communication, while signatures are used for authorization and legal verification.
Why is legibility important for names but not for signatures?
Names need to be clear for identification, whereas signatures are often more about the unique style and less about legibility.
What is the significance of a signature in legal documents?
It signifies agreement, consent, and verification of identity.
What should someone do if their signature changes?
It’s important to update significant legal documents and notify institutions like banks.
How can a name be changed?
Through legal processes, usually involving court orders or marriage.
Are digital signatures as valid as handwritten ones?
Yes, digital signatures are legally recognized in many jurisdictions.
How do names function in different cultures?
Names can reflect cultural, familial, and historical connections and can have different structures depending on cultural norms.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
