What is your name

[tony]

What is your name? I learned to say this "como se llama" literally meaning what are you called or by what name are you called? Why is se (third person) used and not te (second person)?

[JPablo]

The "se" is the polite way for 2nd person.

1. ¿Cómo se llama (usted)? (formal 2nd person)

2. ¿Cómo te llamas (tú)? (informal, friendly 2nd person)

3. ¿Cómo se llama (él/ella)? (3rd person)

Without context, and without including the pronouns, 1 and 3 could lead to a misunderstanding... but normally the context or the situation gives you the clue.