Are you unsure who has called or texted you and want to find out more?
Perhaps you’re concerned that asking “who are you?” is rude or ineffective.
Luckily, you have options! And that’s where we come in.
This article will show you how to ask “who are you?” on the phone to cover different situations.
Is It Rude to Ask “Who Are You?”
It is not rude to ask “who are you?” It’s a simple question that works well when you want to ask who is calling or texting you.
If you don’t know who you’re speaking with, how do you know what to say?
Once you ask “who are you?” you’ll have a better understanding of them and what they want from you.
Here’s a helpful example to show you more about how it works:
I’m sorry, but who are you? Forgive me if you’re known to me, but I don’t have your number saved.
Pros
- It’s a direct way to figure out who is speaking to you.
- It’s clear and shows you need information quickly.
Cons
- It’s a bit blunt.
- People might think it’s rude if you don’t have their number saved on your phone already.
So, “who are you?” clearly works well on the phone. But it’s not the only suitable choice! There are plenty of ways to sound more polite and sincere if that suits you.
Keep reading to learn how to respectfully ask someone who they are on the phone. We’ve gathered a list of some of the best synonyms to help you here.
What to Say Instead of “Who Are You?”
- May I ask who I am speaking with, please?
- Could you kindly introduce yourself?
- Could you provide your name for me?
- Would you mind sharing your name with me?
- Who am I speaking to?
- Who, may I ask, is calling?
- If I may ask, who is on the line?
- Please let me know your name
- Could you identify yourself for me?
1. May I Ask Who I Am Speaking With, Please?
You can use “may I ask who I am speaking with, please” to professionally ask “who are you?”
This is a great way to figure out who is on the other end of a phone call.
Don’t worry; it’s also polite. It’s a really great option if you’re looking for a way to formally ask someone because you’re unsure whether it’s an important call.
After all, you don’t want to sound overly friendly or accusatory if it ends up being someone from work, right?
These examples will help you to understand more about it:
May I ask who I am speaking with, please? I hope it’s not someone who I’m supposed to have saved!
May I ask who I am speaking with, please? I’d really like to know before we continue this.
2. Could You Kindly Introduce Yourself?
Next, feel free to ask “could you kindly introduce yourself?” This is a great phrase that works well in a phone chat or text conversation.
For instance, you can use it on WhatsApp when someone reaches out to you.
It’s just as important to ask “who are you?” in a text as it is on a phone call. If you don’t know the recipient, a phrase like this will go a long way.
Here are some helpful message samples to also help you with it:
Could you kindly introduce yourself before we continue? I’m trying to figure out who this is.
Could you kindly introduce yourself? I’d like to continue this conversation by putting a name to the face.
3. Could You Provide Your Name for Me?
You can also use “could you provide your name for me?” This is a simple question that shows you how to ask “who are you” nicely.
It works really well when you’re trying to be respectful and sincere. After all, it suggests that you’d like to know more about the caller, but you’re unsure where to start.
It’s always good to remain as friendly as possible when asking something like this. That’s why this phrase goes a long way.
Here are some examples to show you a bit more about using it:
Could you provide your name for me? I’m not sure you have the right number, and I’d like to fix that.
Could you provide your name for me when you get a moment? That would be really helpful.
4. Would You Mind Sharing Your Name With Me?
Feel free to write “would you mind sharing your name with me?” This is a direct and formal way to ask for someone’s name before you continue conversing.
For instance, you can use it to ask an unknown person “who are you” in a professional and polite manner.
More often than not, they’ll be happy to respond to you. After all, you’ve approached the question in a positive way and tried not to make any blunt remarks.
Also, these examples will help you to understand it a bit better:
Would you mind sharing your name with me? It would go a long way to helping me understand what’s happening.
Would you mind sharing your name with me? Then, I’d be happy to continue.
5. Who Am I Speaking To?
For something a little simpler, use “who am I speaking to?” This is a great option as a polite way to ask “who are you?”
For the most part, you should use it when receiving a call from an unknown number.
It shows that you’d like to ask for someone’s name before you continue with any important information.
This is a good chance for you to be respectful when asking for a name.
So, feel free to review these examples to learn a bit more:
Who am I speaking to, please? I’m happy to talk more, but I’m going to need a name.
Who am I speaking to, though? This is the first time I’ve received a call from this number.
6. Who, May I Ask, Is Calling?
You can also use “who, may I ask, is calling” as another way to say “who are you?”
Now, this one is a little more wordy than it needs to be. But, the inclusion of “may I ask” is important if you want things to sound polite and sincere.
So, yes, you could just say:
- Who is calling?
But “may I ask” adds a new element to the phrase that makes it a bit more interesting and respectful.
Feel free to review these examples to learn a bit more about it:
Who, may I ask, is calling? I’d like to know more about you before we continue.
And who, may I ask, is calling? I don’t think I recognize your number at all.
7. If I May Ask, Who Is on the Line?
You can also use “if I may ask, who is on the line?” This is a great way to figure out who is on the other end of a phone conversation.
If a random number calls you, use this phrase.
It shows that you’re respectful enough to ask for someone’s name before engaging them in a conversation.
This is usually a great way to be professional when asking for a name, too.
So, you can review these samples to learn a bit more about it:
If I may ask, who is on the line? Your number did not come up before I picked up the phone.
If I may ask, who is on the line? I like to know who I’m getting involved with before continuing.
8. Please Let Me Know Your Name
If you’re wondering how to ask “who are you” over text, try “please let me know your name.”
It’s not a question but a direct and polite statement. It shows you want to know someone’s name before you find out more about what they want from you.
Generally, this is acceptable. It’s common practice to want to know someone’s name before you give them any further details about yourself.
You can also review these examples to learn more before you go:
Please let me know your name before I answer any more questions. Who is this?
Could you please let me know your name? It would help me to feel more comfortable.
9. Could You Identify Yourself for Me?
Finally, feel free to use “could you identify yourself for me” if you’re trying to be polite and questioning.
It shows that you do not recognize the number calling you. So, you want to ask who they are before you continue talking.
This ensures your safety. It’s a good habit to get into to ensure you’re not taking random calls, especially scamming ones!
Also, you can review these examples to learn a bit more:
Could you identify yourself for me? Then, I can ensure you’re not trying to do anything dodgy.
Could you identify yourself for me? I’m sure I know you, but I’m afraid I don’t have your number saved!