Say Your Name Backward - Ice Breaker Game
π― Quick Summary
Employees spell their names backward on slips; teammates draw and guess the correct name within 10 seconds.
β Why This Ice Breaker Game Works
- β’This ice breaker has been used by 532 teams worldwide
- β’Rated 4.3/5.0 by 215 facilitators who used this icebreaker game
- β’Perfect ice breaker for: Fun, Team Building
π How to Play Say Your Name Backward Ice Breaker (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Name Writing & Collection
3 min㪠Say This:
"Welcome to Say Your Name Backward! Here's your challenge: write your name backward on this slip of paper. So if your name is Sarah, you'd write 'haraS'. If you're Alex, write 'xelA'. First name only is fine, or you can do first and last if you're feeling ambitious! Once you're done, fold it and drop it in this bowl. Let's see how well you know your teammates' names!"
π What to Do:
- 1.Distribute one slip of paper and a pen to each participant
- 2.Explain the task: write your name backward (reverse the letters)
- 3.Clarify: first name only is sufficient, or they can include last name for extra challenge
- 4.Give examples: John β nhoJ, Emily β ylimE, Rodriguez β zeugiordoR
- 5.Have participants fold their slips to keep names hidden
- 6.Collect all folded slips in a bowl or container
- 7.Shake the bowl to mix up the names thoroughly
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’Encourage neat handwriting - messy backward names are impossible to decipher!
- β’For teams with similar names (two Mikes, three Sarahs), ask them to add last initial backward too
- β’Virtual option: participants type backward names in private chat to facilitator, who compiles a list
- β’Watch out for palindrome names (Bob, Anna, Eve) - these are 'cheats' since they're the same forward and backward!
- β’For large groups (20+), consider forming smaller sub-groups to keep the activity moving
- β’Some people will struggle to reverse their own name - that's part of the fun!
Step 2: Guessing Game
15 min㪠Say This:
"Now for the fun part! I'm going to draw a name from the bowl and show it to you. You have TEN SECONDS to figure out whose name this is! Ready? [Draw first slip] Here's the name: [read backward name]. Who is... 'yelahS'? Start thinking! 10... 9... 8... [Count down] Time's up! Who thinks they know? [After correct guess] That's right, it's Shaley! Shaley, stand up and share one fun fact about yourself!"
π What to Do:
- 1.Draw the first slip from the bowl
- 2.Display or read aloud the backward name clearly
- 3.Start a 10-second countdown timer
- 4.Participants call out guesses or raise hands
- 5.The first person to guess correctly wins that round
- 6.Once guessed (or time expires), reveal the correct person
- 7.Optional: have that person share a fun fact about themselves
- 8.Continue drawing slips until all names have been guessed
- 9.Keep score if desired: track who guesses the most names correctly
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’The 10-second limit creates urgency and excitement - stick to it!
- β’Some names will be easy (short names like 'maS' for Sam), others brutally hard (long names with lots of consonants)
- β’If no one guesses within 10 seconds, give hints: 'Starts with J', 'Works in marketing', 'Sits near the window'
- β’Watch for patterns: people often guess their close friends' names faster
- β’Keep energy high: 'Ooh, that's a tricky one!' 'Great guess!' 'So close!'
- β’If someone guesses their own name, gently disqualify: 'No guessing yourself!'
- β’Virtual: share screen showing the backward name, or type it in chat
Step 3: Reflection & Fun Facts
2 min㪠Say This:
"Well done, everyone! We now know each other's names - even backward! Before we wrap up, let's hear from anyone who hasn't shared a fun fact yet. [Point to remaining people] Tell us something interesting about yourself that we might not know!"
π What to Do:
- 1.Recap: acknowledge everyone's participation and name-learning
- 2.If time allows, invite anyone who didn't get to share a fun fact to do so now
- 3.Ask: 'Whose name was the hardest to guess?' 'Whose name was easiest?'
- 4.Optional: challenge people to remember everyone's name at the end
- 5.Thank everyone for playing
- 6.For ongoing teams, consider repeating with middle names or nicknames in the future
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’This game is especially great for new employees - they'll remember names better after actively guessing
- β’The 'fun fact' addition transforms a simple name game into a deeper introduction activity
- β’Follow-up: in the next meeting, test if people remember names better after this game vs. traditional intros
- β’For very new teams, consider providing name tags after the game so people can confirm names visually
- β’Virtual teams: send a follow-up email with everyone's names and fun facts as a reference
- β’Celebrate particularly tricky names: 'zeugiordoR was brutal! Props to whoever guessed that!'
β οΈ Common Questions (Avoid Problems)
Q: What if someone has a really long or complicated name that's impossible to guess backward?
A: That's part of the challenge! If a name is genuinely unguessable (like 'siwesgnorkcizdzeiwsjnatsehcsaswobzirgnoitazilgnoizeitabnwoegnirozitrbamaosthgineozaemorhtnaobmazilisxyzarbignotacilpmocanodnabadracirhctahtsemonemos'), allow extra time or give progressive hints. Alternatively, ask people with very long names to use just their first name or a shortened version. The goal is fun, not frustration!
Q: Can we play this virtually with remote teams?
A: Yes! Have participants type their backward names in a private chat to you. Then, one by one, display each backward name on screen (via screenshare or typing in group chat) and give the team 10 seconds to guess. Use a countdown timer and have people type guesses in chat or unmute to shout answers. The virtual version works surprisingly well and adds a visual element since you can display the backward text large on screen.
Q: What if two people have the same name?
A: Ask them to add a distinguishing element when writing backward: last initial, middle initial, or a memorable trait. For example, two Emilys could be 'ylimE T' and 'ylimE R'. Or use nicknames: 'ylimE (tall)' vs 'ylimE (short)'. Alternatively, when a duplicate name is guessed, ask 'Which Emily?' and let the guesser clarify.
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