# Name Generates a random name string from a dictionary of first and last names. You specify the name information that is contained in the column. A column might only contain a first name or last name, or it might contain a full name. A full name might be first name first or last name first. For example, a **Name** column contains a full name in the format **Last, First**. For the input value `Smith, John`, the output value would be something like, `Jones, Mary`. ## Characteristics


Consistency	Yes, can be made self-consistent or consistent with another column. Note that all Name generator columns that have the same consistency configuration are automatically consistent with each other. The columns must either be all self-consistent or all consistent with the same other column. For example, you can use this to ensure that a first name and last name column value always match the first name and last name in a full name column.
Linking	No, cannot be linked.
Differential privacy	Yes, if consistency is not enabled.
Data-free	Yes, if consistency is not enabled.
Allowed for primary keys	No
Allowed for unique columns	No
Uses format-preserving encryption (FPE)	No
Privacy ranking	1 if not consistent 4 if consistent
Generator ID (for the API)	`NameGenerator`

## How to configure To configure the generator: 1. From the name format dropdown list, select the type of name value that the column contains: * First. This also is commonly used for standalone middle name fields. * Last * First Last * First Middle Last * First Middle Initial Last * Last, First * Last, First Middle * Middle Initial 2. Toggle the **Preserve Capitalization** setting to indicate whether to preserve the capitalization of the column value.\ \ By default, the capitalization is not preserved. 3. Toggle the **Consistency** setting to indicate whether to make the column consistent.\ \ By default, consistency is disabled. 4. If you enable consistency, then by default the generator is self-consistent.\ \ To make the generator consistent with another column, from the **Consistent to** dropdown list, select the column. 5. If [Structural data encryption](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/generators-assign-config/generators-data-encryption-config) is enabled, then to use it for this column, in the advanced options section, toggle **Use data encryption process** to the on position.