How to use "this" reference of the element calling the function?

For example I want a function that is used by many elements to get the attributes of the calling element.

function example(){
    var name = //name of the calling element "$(this).attr('name')"
}
<button name="somename1" onclick="example()">Button1</button>
<button name="somename2" onclick="example()">Button2</button>

so if the button named 'somename1' calls the function, the variable 'name' will be assigned to 'somename1' and so if 'somename2' called it, it will be assigned to 'somename2'

Use the keyword this, like so:

function exampleFunction(exampleElement) {
    var name = exampleElement.name;
}

<button name="somename1" onclick="exampleFunction(this)">Button1</button>
<button name="somename2" onclick="exampleFunction(this)">Button2</button>

But if you use jquery, you could do

$('button').click(function() {
  var name = $(this).attr('name');
});

Without the onclick attribute.