{{ first_name }} not populating when I subscribe to the newletter

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A user is experiencing an issue where the {{ first_name }} merge tag fails to populate in automated newsletter subscription emails on their Shopify store (velarosa.com).

Setup:

  • Using native Shopify forms (popup after 10 seconds)
  • Shopify automations for workflow
  • Shopify Email app for sending messages

Problem:

  • Subscribers receive the discount code email successfully
  • The {{ first_name }} field appears as literal text instead of displaying the actual name
  • Issue occurs in both subject line and email body
  • User previously removed the field but is willing to restore it

Troubleshooting Steps:

  • Community members requested store URL, tool details, and template code
  • Support asked whether preview/test emails show the same issue
  • A moderator suggested using a specific personalization function within the Shopify Email app to properly insert customer information like first name

Status: The discussion remains open with a potential solution proposed but not yet confirmed as resolved.

Summarized with AI on November 17. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

I have an automation set up where if you subscribe to the newsletter, you get an email with a discount code. When I sign up on the website (from a private browser window), I do get the email but the subject line reads:

Thanks for joining VelaRosa {{ first_name }}

Why doesn’t my first name populate in the “first_name” field?

Thanks,

Victor

2

@vavelar please share your store URL

3

Can you please give a little bit more context ? Which tools are you using for automation ? Or are you just using Shopify email notifications ?

4

Hi all,

The store is https://velarosa.com

I’m using native Shopify forms (for the popup), Shopify automations, and Shopify email.

The popup comes up after 10 seconds on the website. I fill in the subscribe info and submit. I get the email subscription confirmation email. I then get a second email with the discount code. It’s in this email that I had the {{ First_name }} in the subject line.

I’ve also tried adding the {{ First_name }} field to the body copy and that didn’t work either.

I have since removed the {{ First_name }} field. I can put it back if you like.

Thank you

5

I was on a paid email system and wasn’t using it enough to get enough value. Shopify email fits my needs more.

6

Hi @vavelar

I understand you are having some issues with your email templates. I am curious, if you preview the email or send yourself a test email from within the admin, is the first name populating as expected?

If you don’t mind sharing the template code for your email I would like to test it out as well. If pasting code into a community reply I recommend pasting it using the “Insert/Edit Code Sample” button in the community post editor. It looks like </>.

7

After signing up and confirming my subscription I got the email in the screenshot below.

As a test, I changed the email to include {{ first_name }} in the subject as well as the first line in the body.

How do I get the cost for the email? I don’t see a way to view the code?

Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 12.35.34 AM.jpg
Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 12.35.34 AM.jpg1232×720 38.4 KB

8

To clarify, are you making this email template using the Shopify Email app in your admin, or under Settings > Notifications?

If you are using the Shopify Email app to create this new subscribers email, then you would want to use this function to add in first name, or other customer specific information:

06-50-dh3xf-jegrd
06-50-dh3xf-jegrd1252×783 76.8 KB

Let me know if that resolves this!