Wie means how, and was means what. You're essentially asking the same question. The confusion comes from the way German phrases the question. In German, you literally ask "how are you called" (wie)... as opposed to the English phrasing "What are you called" (was)

The difference between the two words mainly has to do with the verb being used or the action taking place. As Nate explained to ask for someone's name in German, you are really asking "how" a person is called or more specific how their name is called. The German verb “heißen” comes from Germanic “heitan” which means to “address”. So literal we asked in German “ How are you addressed”. The question „Wie heißt ....“ is normally used when asking for any kind of Name. For example „Wie heißt diese Straße?“ It‘s possible in German to personify things. For example: „Wie heißt Cola auf English?“. And therefore you can say „Wie heißt 你好 auf Deutsch?“. But I prefer to say „Was heißt 你好 auf Deutsch?“, because I am asking for a translation and not a name.

It’s a really tricky question you asked. A general answer would be : Was / What?: - Question about a thing: - What kind of car do you drive ? - Was für ein Auto fährst du? Wie/ How? : - Question about the quality: - How fast do you drive? - Wie schnell fährst du? - Question about the quantity: - How many cars do you drive? - Wie viele Autos fährst du? - Question about the frequency: - How often do you drive to London ? Wie oft fährst du nach London - Question about the duration: - How long takes a ride to London? Wie lange dauert eine Fahrt nach London?