Short answer: FLAMES stands for Friends, Lovers, Affection, Marriage, Enemies and Siblings. To play, you cross out the letters two names share, count the letters that are left, and use that number to cross out the letters of FLAMES one by one until only one is left. That last letter is your result. Our FLAMES calculator does all the counting for you in one click.
What does FLAMES stand for?
Each letter is a possible future for the two names:
- F is for Friends: good vibes, no romance (yet).
- L is for Lovers: the names say there's romance here.
- A is for Affection: lots of care and sweetness between you.
- M is for Marriage: the big one. Start the wedding playlist (as a joke).
- E is for Enemies: the names don't get along. Very dramatic, very funny.
- S is for Siblings: you're family now. Sorry.
How to play FLAMES
These are the exact rules our FLAMES calculator uses:
- Write both names. Spaces and capital letters don't count, so "Mary Ann" is the same as "maryann".
- Cross out the shared letters. Each shared letter cancels one time from each name. If one name has two Ms and the other has one M, you cross out one M in each name, and the second M stays.
- Count the letters left in both names together.
- Count around the word FLAMES. Start at F and count that many letters. When you pass S, go back to F. Cross out the letter you land on.
- Keep going. Start the next count from the letter right after the one you crossed out. Repeat until only one letter is left.
The last letter standing is your answer.
A worked example: Ravi and Neha
Here is a full game with two short names, Ravi and Neha.
Step 1. Cross out the shared letters. RAVI and NEHA share one letter: A. Cross out one A in each name. That leaves R, V, I and N, E, H.
Step 2. Count what's left. 3 letters + 3 letters = 6.
Step 3. Count 6 around FLAMES, round after round.
| Round | Letters still in the game | Start at | Count 6 | Cross out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F L A M E S | F | F, L, A, M, E, S | S |
| 2 | F L A M E | F | F, L, A, M, E, F | F |
| 3 | L A M E | L | L, A, M, E, L, A | A |
| 4 | L M E | M | M, E, L, M, E, L | L |
| 5 | M E | M | M, E, M, E, M, E | E |
In round 1 you land on S, the 6th letter, so S goes. Round 2 starts from the letter after S, which loops back to F. Round 3 starts at L, the letter right after the F you just crossed out. Round 4 starts at M, the letter after A. In round 5 only M and E are left, and the count of 6 lands on E.
Result: M, Marriage. Congratulations, Ravi and Neha.
One more check with a repeated letter: Tom and Emma. Emma has two Ms and Tom has one, so only one M is crossed out in each name. That leaves T, O and E, M, A: 5 letters. Counting 5 each round crosses out E, then M, then S, then L, then A, and F, Friends, is the last letter left.
Where the FLAMES game comes from
FLAMES is a classic school game. Kids write their name and their crush's name on the back of a notebook, cross out letters and count with a pencil, usually while the teacher isn't looking. It's played a lot in India and the Philippines, and in many other countries too.
Nobody really knows who invented it, and different schools play with slightly different rules. Some cross out every copy of a shared letter, and some start each new count from F. That's why the same names can give a different answer on paper than in our calculator.
Is FLAMES real?
FLAMES is for fun only. The result comes from letters, not feelings, so it can't tell you if someone likes you. The same two names always give the same answer, which is why everyone secretly tries nicknames until they get "Lovers".
For another game, try our love calculator to get a love percentage by name. For real signs, our relationship quizzes ask about how someone actually acts, and the guide to the signs he likes you explains what to look for in texts.
Your chat knows more than your names
FLAMES can't read your messages, but your WhatsApp chat says a lot. The Cringe shows who texts first, each person's average reply time and how many messages each of you sends. With the AI report, you also get an interest level for each person. Uploading your chat is free with no sign-up, and Premium shows the full report.
FAQ
What does FLAMES stand for?
FLAMES stands for Friends, Lovers, Affection, Marriage, Enemies and Siblings. The game picks one of these for two names.
How do you play FLAMES?
Cross out the letters two names share, count the letters left, then count around F, L, A, M, E, S with that number and cross out the letter you land on. Start again from the next letter and repeat until one letter is left.
Is the FLAMES game accurate?
No, it's a game. It's fun to play with a crush's name, but it can't tell you how anyone feels.
Why did I get a different FLAMES result on paper?
People play with slightly different rules, for example crossing out every copy of a shared letter. Our calculator cancels each shared letter one time from each name, and starts each new count from the next letter.
Should I use first names or full names?
First names are the classic way to play. Full names give a different result, which is a good excuse to play again.