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Baby names

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Original poster

What do you think if a person uses an English name instead of his own name?

32 replies

emjan · 03/07/2015 04:42

For example, if someone's real name (not English) is hard to pronounce for English speaking people, he chooses an English name and introduced himself as a John (John is not his real name in ID).
Would you be bothered with it? Or would you be more happy as the name John is easier to pronounce?

Thanks.

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Mehitabel6 · 03/07/2015 05:21

I don't think that OP wants to legally change it, Athenaviolet, they just want an easier one in UK.
Lots of people do it, e.g I know an elderly lady called Elsie who has loathed it all her life and she is known by something completely different and very few people know she is Elsie, but she uses it for legal documents etc She has never wanted to change it legally.
I can't see why anyone would mind OP, change it to whatever you like.

Athenaviolet · 03/07/2015 05:15

I'd think they didn't understand the legalities of name changing in the UK.

It doesn't cost a penny to change your name.

BathshebaDarkstone · 03/07/2015 05:15

I noticed the Indians in Glasgow did this. The man who owned the corner shop called himself Joe. I have absolutely no idea what his real name was! Grin I don't think anything about it really. Confused

Original poster
emjan · 03/07/2015 05:11

I am open to all comments. Just wanted to know how people feel. I only have a Chinese name in my ID which is hard to pronounce for people who only knows English, so I wanted to use a English name.

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 03/07/2015 04:58

I don't mind either way.

I know two sisters where one has changed her name to a western name and one hasn't.

My own dh changed his name as his name was daft and he felt it was holding him back in his career. I don't think this applies to ethnic names though.

My sister has a Chinese surname and so has often found herself in situations where people expect her to be ethnically Chinese.

I've read your other thread about changing your name. I don't think you should do it if it worries you or if you don't want to in any way. It's not necessary if what I mean.

SueGeneris · 03/07/2015 04:56

I think it's sad that people can't make an effort to learn how to pronounce a foreign name properly.

It is common in DH's company's Korean office for people to adopt English names and use those. Quite a few Bruces.

karbonfootprint · 03/07/2015 04:49

i don't "think" anything at all, it is that individuals personal choice.

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