Cursive handwritingAny age
Cursive name tracing
Type any name and the sheet repeats it in joined cursive on ruled lines, alternating with empty lines for writing it unaided. It works for a child learning a signature or anyone who wants a personal cursive page.
- Type your details or print blank
- Print or PDF, Letter or A4
- Free, no sign-up
On this page
What prints
Type a name in the box and the title changes to match, for example "Olivia in Cursive". With the box empty, the title reads "Cursive Name Practice", and the lines print empty with a note asking you to add a name.
The body alternates two kinds of line. The first, third and fifth lines carry the name written across the width, repeated as many times as it fits, with the first copy dark and the rest grey. Between them are empty ruled lines of the same height. A student traces the name above, then writes it unaided on the line below. At the default Large size seven lines fit on a page, so that is four lines of names and three blank lines.
Each ruled line carries a fine top rule, a dashed rule marking small-letter height, and a heavier baseline. The name box allows up to 24 characters on one line, so a first and last name, or a short full name, fits. A long name is shrunk only when a single copy is wider than the line.
Your name is set in Cedarville Cursive, a natural, teacher-style font by Kimberly Geswein (SIL Open Font License). It is not an official school method. Because a name starts with a capital, remember that Zaner-Bloser and D'Nealian teach some capitals a little differently.
The settings
- Practice. Opens on "A name".
- Name to trace. One line of text, up to 24 characters. Leave it empty to print blank lines.
- Line size. Opens on "Large (beginners)". "Medium" and "Small (confident writers)" shrink the lines, so more fit on a page and the name sits closer to everyday writing size.
Tips
Names are motivating because they matter to the writer. Start with the first name alone. Add a surname once the first name flows without stopping. Printing a second copy with the full name gives a short signature drill.
Check the capital first. A capital that begins in the wrong place is hard to unlearn, so watch the first stroke and have the student say it aloud. If the capital troubles them, spend a few minutes on that letter's page, for example cursive M or cursive S, before returning here. The cursive capital letters sheet is another way to work on the first letter.
Worked example: a name for a birthday card
Priya, age ten, wants to sign her cards in cursive. She types Priya into the name box, keeps Large, and prints one page. She traces the first Priya in pencil, then writes three on the blank lines. The "P" gives her trouble, so she repeats it five times on scrap paper.
The next day she changes the box to Priya Shah, picks Medium, and prints again. With the smaller lines she fits more copies and notices that the space between her two names is too wide. She marks the best signature with a star and uses it on the card. Nothing you type in the box leaves your browser, so a child can use a real name safely.
Closing note
A name page can be redone as often as needed. Change the name for a sibling, a friend, or a pet and print again.
Sources
- Common Core State Standards: Language, Grade 1 (L.1.1.a, print all upper- and lowercase letters) thecorestandards.org
- Reading Rockets: Writing readingrockets.org