diff --git a/src/agents/agent.py b/src/agents/agent.py
index 6c87297f1..db51257c3 100644
--- a/src/agents/agent.py
+++ b/src/agents/agent.py
@@ -79,7 +79,11 @@ class Agent(Generic[TContext]):
     """
 
     name: str
-    """The name of the agent."""
+    """The name of the agent. Must be a non-empty string.
+    Raises:
+         TypeError: if not a string
+         ValueError: if empty or only whitespace
+    """
 
     instructions: (
         str
@@ -264,6 +268,13 @@ async def get_mcp_tools(
         return await MCPUtil.get_all_function_tools(
             self.mcp_servers, convert_schemas_to_strict, run_context, self
         )
+    
+    def __post_init__(self):
+        if not isinstance(self.name, str):
+            raise TypeError(f"`name` must be a string, got {type(self.name).__name__!r}")
+        if not self.name.strip():
+            raise ValueError("`name` cannot be empty or contain only whitespace")
+        
 
     async def get_all_tools(self, run_context: RunContextWrapper[Any]) -> list[Tool]:
         """All agent tools, including MCP tools and function tools."""