以蓝忘机举例，湛为名，忘机为字，含光君为号。

　　那么这三者有什么区别呢？

　　“名”是你出生时所取的名字。你的长辈（比如父母、祖父母等）可以直呼名字。当时的君王或者老师也可以直呼你的名字，只是他们或许不会这么做罢了。总之，名字只有你最亲密的人或者对你拥有绝对权威的人才能使用。成年以后，人们就多以字称人了。如果一个点头之交直呼你的名字，就是一件十分不礼貌的事。

　　名 is your first name given to you by your parents when you’re born. Your senior blood relatives, such as your parents or grandparents can always call you by that name throughout your life. The King/Emperor of your time and your teacher can also always call you by your 名, although they may not choose to do so. 名 is for people who are closest to you in life or people who have absolute seniority over you, once you become an adult, your 名 is seldom used by people other than the ones mentioned above, if a general acquaintance call you by your 名, it will be considered as rude and impolite.

　　而“字”则是成年时所起的名字（男生为20岁左右，女生为15岁左右）。值得注意的是，只有社会地位较高、受过良好教育的人才会有“字”。“字”多由两个汉字组成，一般为“名”的引申义。成年后，人们多用“姓+字”的形式称呼对方，父母也一般都会这么叫。如果父母突然直呼你的“名”，你恐怕就有麻烦了~