Klingon names are often mispronounced by speakers of other languages. When non-Klingons write these names, the spelling typically represents only an approximate pronunciation. For instance, the distinctive Klingon sound tlh, found at the start of words, is often written as kl by English speakers, since English words don't start with a tl sound. Likewise, the Klingon letter Q is usually represented as kr, and q typically becomes a simple k.

Here are some common Klingon names along with their usual English spellings:

Using Names in Direct Address

Klingon names, along with titles or respectful terms, can be used directly when speaking to someone. These expressions usually appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Examples:

• torgh HIghoS! – Torg, come here! (HIghoS – come towards me)
• lu' qaH! – Yes, sir!

Other forms of direct address include terms of respect or honor, such as:

• qaH – sir
• joHwI' – my lord

Using the proper form of address is extremely important. Titles, names, and terms of respect must be chosen carefully, based on the context, relationship, and relative status of speakers.

Calling someone by name alone is always acceptable (e.g., Qugh, ghawran, lurSa'). On formal occasions, Klingons may also use patronymics (father's name), as in mogh puqloD ("son of Mogh") or HuS 'atrom puqbe' ("Huss, daughter of A'trom").

Official titles (such as military ranks or government positions) follow names, as in martaq Sa' ("General Martok") or ghawran Qang ("Chancellor Gowron"). Titles can be omitted only in informal contexts. Leaders of Klingon Houses are addressed with joH ("Lord, Lady") after the name, e.g., qamor joH ("Lord Kahmor"), or directly as joHwI' ("my Lord, my Lady").

Within families, children usually address their parents as SoS ("Mother") and vav ("Father"). Younger children often use affectionate terms like SoSoy ("Mommy") or vavoy ("Daddy"), though these are usually dropped after the Age of Ascension. Similarly, parents may affectionately call their children puqloDoy ("my son") or puqbe'oy ("my daughter"), but this also typically ceases after childhood.

Klingons rarely address their spouse directly as loDnal ("husband") or be'nal ("wife"). Instead, romantic partners often use private pet names called bang pongmey ("beloveds' names"), formed by adding the affectionate suffix -oy to ordinary words, such as chatlhoy ("soupy") or HIchoy ("pistol"). These terms are deeply personal and kept strictly private; misusing or publicly revealing a bang pong is a serious offense.

Among friends, Klingons use jup ("friend") or jupna' ("good friend"). A Klingon male may address another close male friend as maqoch ("buddy"), while females use chaj ("close female friend"). Both maqoch and chaj imply strong friendship but can be insulting or provocative if used incorrectly or casually. Cross-gender use is considered highly disrespectful.