FreeCAD is an opensource parametric 3D modeler that is fairly easy to use. That is if you already know how to do things. The steps needed to produce a model are not always obvious. One of the things I have figured out is nametags.
Open FreeCAD and create a new file. I rename my files to match the name on the nametag I am creating. Then switch to the Draft workbench. Once there click on the ShapeString tool. I sort of look like an S. Then click in the work area where you want the text. This will bring a series of input boxes in the Combo View section. The first on is labeled String, type the name there and press enter. Next is the Height. This is in drawing units, think millimeters. Enter a value like 18 and press enter. Tracking is next. Leave that at 0 and press enter. Next it asks for the Full path to font file. This is the location to the font used to trace the nametag. Pick one, I use '/usr/share/fonts/truetype/liberation/LiberationSerif-Bold.ttf' but it might be different for you. Press enter again. The ShapeString should appear in the Tree view but you might need to zoom to see it in the work area.
Now change to the Part Design workbench. The ShapeString created in the last step has no thickness. We add some by selecting it in the Tree view and pushing the Pad button. This opens a set of tools in the Combo view. Use Type - Dimension, and Length - 8. Press the OK button and you are half done.
Next is the base that holds the letters together. Create a Sketch with 0 offset in the XY-Plane. Now use the drawing tools to draw a base that holds all of the letters. Press OK and then Pad with a dimension of 4.
Now you have two shapes, the name and the base. Move to the Part workbench. Select both shapes by holding down the ctrl key and choosing the shapes with the mouse. Then select the button that says Union when the mouse rolls over it's icon. This will take a little while. It will leave a Fusion object in the Tree view.
The last step is exporting the STL file for printing. Just choose the Fusion object and File-Export as a Mesh format and a name the ends in stl.