Reddit reviews The Book of Name Signs: Naming in American Sign Language

Not really. Name signs have to meet specific linguistic criteria. Sam Supalla wrote The Book of Name Signs which explains how name signs work; someone with limited ASL experience may end up with a name sign that breaks linguistic rules. (Kind of like Mr. Mxyzptlk from the comics, whose name doesn't follow English linguistic rules.)

This book http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0915035308?pc_redir=1405232571&robot_redir=1 will explain everything. The short version is that name signs are a cultural pastime and best to be left to the culture that own it. There are rules, one of which is that a nabe sign can only be given by a person who is deaf. It's also customary to be given a name sign, not to make up your own.

Many people don't follow the rules, but I would rather let a deaf break them, than myself.

A couple of reasons. There are grammatical rules when it comes to sign names in American Sign language that must be followed and also name signs usually consist of a back story or have meaning. Typically if a non deaf person gives themselves a name sign it does not adhere to the grammatical rules of ASL and will also lack cultural meaning.


Here is a link to a great book that details the history and rules of name signs. https://www.amazon.com/Book-Name-Signs-American-Language/dp/0915035308