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A name tag or name badge is a badge or sticker worn on the outermost clothing as a means of displaying the wearer's name for others to view.
Name tags may be temporary, such as a sticker with the iconic image being the "Hello! My Name Is ________"; or it may be more durable. Temporary ones typically can be handwritten with the wearer's name, or printed. Permanent name tags are usually made of lightweight metal or plastic and may be known as name badges.
Name tags may be attached to garments with adhesive or worn with the assistance of a magnet, pin or velcro. Plastic or metal name tags can be attached to various backings used to attach to the clothing of the wearer. There are many types of name tag backings, including magnetic backings, pins and clips. Magnetic backings, which do not puncture clothing with pins, are a popular solution for name tags. Some name tags are worn around the neck using a lanyard or necklace.
Name tags with magnetic backings may be harmful to people who have pacemakers, as the magnet may interfere with the implant's normal function. It is suggested that people who have pacemakers use pinback backings with their name tags.
Name tags are used by some customer service companies, such as fast food restaurants, so that customers may identify employees by name. Professional employees or representatives of public-facing organizations such as universities, banks, or other companies where employees do not wear uniforms, may wear name tags as a way of distinguishing or identifying the bearer, while allowing the employee to wear daily business wear.
Military
Military personnel commonly wear name badges on their uniforms. This may often display only the family (or last) name, but these conventions may differ around the world. For example, in the Singapore Armed Forces, Indian last names are generally initialised and the first name spelt in full. On the other hand, Chinese names may displayed in initials, save for the surname.
The use of name tags probably originated with laundry tags, used to identify clothing belonging to particular individuals. During World War II, the United States military began making use of external name tags, in particular on flight clothing and combat uniforms. The use of cloth name tapes became common by the Korean War and its use spread to other armies. The Canadian Army began using cloth name tapes on combat uniforms in the 1960s. During this period, the use of name tags extended to dress uniforms, and tags made of engraved plastic rather than cloth.
Other professionals
Police officers usually often wear name tags on their uniforms that are separate from the badges that identify their official capacity as a law enforcement officer.
So that nametags have a degree of privacy, nametags may be attached with velcro which can be easily changed.
Conventions
Associations of people gathering for conventions, and other events where socialization is encouraged, often wear name tags.
"Hello my name is" stickers
"Hello my name is" stickers, first introduced by C-Line Products in 1959, became hugely popular. Many graffiti artists have been known to use these stickers as tags.
Name labels
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, iron-on or sticker name tags may be used for children's clothing, to help return items if lost. Cash's (J. & J. Cash Ltd) of Coventry, England, is a prominent manufacturer of woven name tapes.
See also
- Nafudakake – Display of name tags in Japanese culture, especially at a martial arts dojo.
References
- Walde, Claudia (2007). Sticker City: paper graffiti art. Thames & Hudson. ISBN 9780500286685.
- Cox, David (2005). Sign Wars: The Culture Jammers Strike Back. ISBN 9780980770155.
- "Name Labels, Name Tags, Clothing label & Luggage Straps". Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- "A brief history of Cash's in Coventry". BBC Online. BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
External links
Media related to Name badges at Wikimedia Commons
