Learn Hardcore Chinese: wǒ de míngzi shì lǐléi.

的 (de) marks possession/attribution, like English ’s. So 我的名字 = “my name.”
With pronouns and regular nouns like 名字, you normally include 的.
Dropping 的 is common only with close kinship terms or set phrases (e.g., 我妈妈, 我家). 我名字 sounds nonstandard; keep 的 here.

Can I just say 我叫李雷 instead of 我的名字是李雷? Which sounds more natural?

我叫李雷 (wǒ jiào Lǐ Léi) is the most common/idiomatic way to introduce your name in conversation.
我是李雷 is also fine, especially when identifying yourself.
我的名字是李雷 is a bit more formal/careful; fine in writing, forms, or when emphasizing the name itself.

When do I use 是 (shì)? Is it the same as English “to be”?

Use 是 to equate two nouns/pronouns: 我是李雷, 他是老师.
Don’t use 是 before adjectives. Instead, use an adverb like 很: not 我是高, but 我很高 (“I’m tall”).
In 我的名字是李雷, both sides are noun phrases, so 是 is correct.

How do I ask “What is your name?” naturally and politely?

In the name 李雷, which is the family name and which is the given name? How should I address someone?

Chinese names put the family name first: 李 is the family name; 雷 is the given name.
Addressing:
- Formal/safe: family name + title (e.g., 李先生, 李女士, 李老师).
- Full name (李雷) is also acceptable in many contexts.
- Given name alone (雷) is intimate or for children/close friends; use carefully.

What are the tones and tone behavior in the sentence? Any tone sandhi to watch for?

Tones: 我 wǒ (3rd), 的 de (neutral), 名字 míngzi (2nd + neutral), 是 shì (4th), 李 lǐ (3rd), 雷 léi (2nd).
3rd-tone sandhi: when a 3rd tone comes directly before another 3rd tone, the first becomes 2nd (e.g., 你好 → “ní hǎo”). In this sentence there’s no adjacent 3rd+3rd, so no sandhi.

Why is 的 pronounced neutral? What about 地 and 得?

Here 的 marks possession and is read with a neutral tone: “de.”
Three common “de” particles:
- 的 (attributive/possessive): 我的书
- 地 (adverbial marker): 认真地学习
- 得 (degree/complement): 说得好
In everyday speech all three are usually neutral-tone “de”; the written character shows the function.

How do I pronounce 名字 (míngzi)? Why is 子 neutral?

Pronounce míngzi with míng in 2nd tone and zi in neutral tone.
The z is an unaspirated [ts]; don’t say “zee.” The vowel in zi is the apical vowel (a syllabic “z”-like sound).
Many nouns ending in -子 take a neutral zi: 桌子 zhuōzi, 帽子 màozi.

Do Chinese sentences have spaces between characters like in the example?

No. Standard writing has no spaces between characters: 我的名字是李雷。
Spaces are used in Pinyin or in teaching materials to show word boundaries, not in normal Chinese text.

How do I negate this? How do I say “I’m not Li Lei” or “My name is not Li Lei”?

Negate 是 with 不是 (bú shì):
- 我不是李雷。 I’m not Li Lei.
- 我的名字不是李雷。 My name is not Li Lei.
Tone sandhi: 不 becomes bú before a 4th tone like 是.

Do I need a measure word with 名字?

Is 我的名字叫李雷 correct?

Yes. 我的名字叫李雷 is common in speech and means “My name is called Li Lei.” Style guides may prefer 我叫李雷 or 我的名字是李雷, but the 名字叫 pattern is widely used conversationally.

Do Chinese names have meanings? What do 李 and 雷 mean?

Many do. 李 is a very common surname meaning “plum.” 雷 means “thunder.” Names often carry positive or evocative meanings, though in daily life they function simply as proper names.

Any quick pronunciation tip for 是 (shì) versus similar sounds?

sh in 是 (shì) is retroflex: curl the tongue slightly back.
Contrast with 四 (sì), where s is not retroflex. Also, the vowel in shi is a syllabic “r-colored” vowel; don’t add a clear “ee.”