Each name gets its own page. Paste a whole class list to get a sheet for every child.
Making the PDF…
About the name tracing worksheet maker
A child's own name is usually the first word they learn to write. It is also the word they care about most. A tracing sheet with their name on it keeps them interested much longer than a page of single letters.
Type a name, and you get a page with the name in solid letters at the top, then rows of dotted letters to trace, then empty rows to write it alone. All rows sit on the school guide lines: a top line, a dashed middle line and a baseline. Type a whole class list, and every child gets a page of their own, in one PDF.
Features
- One page per name — paste up to 60 names and print the whole class at once
- Print or cursive — manuscript letters, or joined cursive letters
- Capitals your way — as typed (Emma), ALL CAPITALS, or all small letters
- Three letter sizes — large for preschool, medium for grades 1–2, small for grade 3 and up
- Dotted or light grey letters — to trace with a pencil or a crayon
- The name once, or as often as it fits — short names fill the row
- Five styles — classic, sky and grass bands, pastel, bold, or grey to save ink
- Long names fit — a long name gets smaller letters on its page instead of breaking in two
How the page is laid out
| Row | What is in it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First row | The name in solid letters (or dotted, if you choose) | A model to look at |
| Middle rows | The name in dotted or grey letters | Trace it again and again |
| Last rows | Empty guide lines (0 to 4 rows) | Write the name alone |
The rows fill the whole page. With large letters on US Letter paper you get 8 rows, with medium letters 11 rows, and with small letters 16 rows.
Print or cursive?
Print (manuscript) letters are what most children learn first, in preschool and kindergarten. The letters use Andika, a font made for children learning to read, with the simple "a" and "g" that they write.
Cursive letters are joined. Many children learn them in grade 2 or 3. The cursive letters use Playwrite US Trad, a school cursive font. With cursive, choose Light grey letters to trace: they show the joins best.
ALL CAPITALS or a capital and small letters?
- As typed (Emma) — the way a name is written everywhere. Most teachers prefer this, so the child learns the right shapes from the start.
- ALL CAPITALS (EMMA) — capitals have more straight lines and are easier for very small hands. Some preschools start here.
- all small letters (emma) — for practice of the small letters only.
Tips for name practice
- Show where to start. Each letter starts at the top. Trace the first letter together with your finger before the pencil.
- Say each letter as the child traces it: "E, m, m, a".
- A little every day. One sheet in a few short sessions works better than many sheets at once.
- Praise the effort, not only the neat result.
- Use a crayon or a thick pencil for the large size. Small hands hold them more easily.
Five styles
- Classic — blue top and middle lines, a red baseline, like school paper
- Sky and grass — a blue band at the top and a green band under the baseline. Children learn: tall letters touch the sky, tails go into the grass
- Pastel — soft pink and purple
- Bold — dark lines and bigger dots, easy to see
- Minimal — grey only, to save ink
Frequently asked questions
How do I make name tracing worksheets for my whole class?
Paste the class list into the box, one name per line. Each name gets its own page in the same PDF. Print it once and hand out the pages.
Can I make a cursive name tracing worksheet?
Yes. Set Letters to Cursive (joined). For tracing, Light grey letters work best with cursive, because the joins stay clear.
Can I use names with accents, like Zoë or José?
Yes. Letters with accents such as é, ü, ñ, ç and ö work, and so do Polish, Czech, Turkish and Vietnamese letters like Ł, ő, ş and ư. Print letters can also write Cyrillic names. Greek, Arabic or Japanese letters are not in the handwriting fonts: the tool leaves them out and tells you which ones. For Japanese, Chinese or Korean names, use our Kanji Practice Sheet.
Are there arrows that show how to write each letter?
No. The letters are dotted or grey, without arrows or start dots. Show the child where each letter starts: at the top, for almost every letter.
Does it save my class list?
Yes, in this browser only. The names never leave your computer. Clear the box when you are done if the computer is shared.
Is it free?
Yes. No sign-up, no watermark and no limit.
Good to know
- Print at Actual size or 100%, so the letters keep their size.
- The fonts download the first time you use the tool: Andika for print (about 40 KB, or 670 KB for a name with letters like Ł or Cyrillic) and Playwrite US Trad for cursive (about 130 KB).
- Both fonts are free fonts under the SIL Open Font License.
Related tools
- Handwriting Worksheet Maker — tracing sheets for any words and sentences
- Spelling Worksheet Generator — practise this week's spelling words
- Name Tag Maker — name tags for the same class list
- Printable Lined Paper — plain lined paper for writing
- Printable Flashcards — letter and word cards
- Calligraphy Practice Sheets — guide sheets for older students and adults
How to use it
- Type a name, or paste a class list with one name per line
- Choose Print or Cursive letters and the Capitals
- Choose the Letter size, the Letters to trace and how many Empty rows you want at the end
- Pick a Style
- Check the preview, then click Download PDF or Print, and print at Actual size
