What was your name

[helenoftroystonvasey]

Hello, I have a reservation for 3pm

What was your name?

What is your name?
Your name, please?

I think they use "was" as a way of referring to the past tense booking.

Not saying it is correct.

I've also heard - what was the name please? (as in what was the name used at the point of booking?)

@StarFriend yes that would be ok.
That's just one example though. I hear it everywhere. Colleagues saying it to customers calling.

I suppose it's shorthand for "In what name was the booking made, please?"

What about this then?

Hello, I'm calling to speak with Mr X
What was your name? I'll put you through

I like it. There's the implication that I might already have been told the name - because you gave it when you reserved. Or before being put through. Or at the beginning of the conversation - whether or not I took it in. (People usually do introduce themselves before I "need" their name). So - what was your name (again?) Polite, personal, not abrupt, implies building a relationship.