Spelling Names with the NATO Phonetic Alphabet

Spelling Names with NATO

One of the most common uses of the NATO phonetic alphabet is spelling out names during phone calls, radio transmissions, and customer service interactions.

How to Spell a Name

To spell "SMITH" using NATO:

S - Sierra
M - Mike
I - India
T - Tango
H - Hotel

Spoken: "Sierra Mike India Tango Hotel"

Common Name Examples

JOHN    → Juliet Oscar Hotel November
SARAH   → Sierra Alpha Romeo Alpha Hotel
DAVID   → Delta Alpha Victor India Delta
EMILY   → Echo Mike India Lima Yankee
CHEN    → Charlie Hotel Echo November
WANG    → Whiskey Alpha November Golf
KUMAR   → Kilo Uniform Mike Alpha Romeo
GARCIA  → Golf Alpha Romeo Charlie India Alpha

Best Practices

1. Say the name first, then spell it: "My name is Smith — Sierra Mike India Tango Hotel"
2. Pause between words: Give the listener time to write each letter
3. Group by syllable: For long names, pause at natural syllable breaks
4. Confirm unusual letters: "X as in X-ray" for emphasis
5. Repeat if asked: Do not hesitate to spell it twice

Spelling Addresses

For addresses, spell out street names and use standard number pronunciation:

123 Oak Street →
"Wun Too Tree, Oscar Alpha Kilo, Sierra Tango Romeo Echo Echo Tango"

Email Addresses

For email addresses, common conventions:

john@example.com →
"Juliet Oscar Hotel November, at sign, Echo X-ray Alpha Mike Papa Lima Echo, dot, Charlie Oscar Mike"

Tips for Phone Communication

• Speak slowly and clearly
• Lower your voice slightly (lower frequencies travel better)
• Avoid background noise
• Ask the listener to read back what they wrote