Spell a word · 5 letters

How to spell GAVIN in sign language

Gavin fingerspelled in ASL is 5 handshapes, signed one after another with the palm facing out. Hold each for a beat and keep the hand in one place; the letters carry the word, not the movement.

ASL handshape for the letter GG
ASL handshape for the letter AA
ASL handshape for the letter VV
ASL handshape for the letter II
ASL handshape for the letter NN

Letter by letter

  1. G Index finger pointing sideways with the thumb extended parallel to it; other fingers curled into the palm.
  2. A A closed fist with the thumb resting upright against the side of the index finger.
  3. V Index and middle fingers extended straight up and spread into a V; thumb holds ring and pinky down.
  4. I Pinky extended upward; index, middle, and ring fingers curled into a fist with the thumb resting across them.
  5. N A fist with the thumb tucked under two fingers (index and middle), peeking out between the middle and ring fingers.

Fingerspelling is how ASL handles names, places, brands and words without a sign of their own. Many everyday words do have a sign, so if you are learning ASL as a language, learn that sign too; this page shows how the word is spelled with the manual alphabet.