To change our surname because no one can pronounce it?

[PotterAndHisWand]

I mean no one, unless they're Irish, but we live in South East England.....

*unless of course you have told them already and they keep getting it wrong!

I didn't change my name when I got married because I can't pronounce DH's last name properly (it's French). I also don't seem to be able to pronounce DS' first name well enough in its French version (I think I am but French people invariably look confused).

I've found in the UK people can make a decent stab at DH's name but if we ever live in the US I don't really expect anyone will.

I think YABU a bit. Some people have easy names, some people don't. When I think of my friends only a very few have easy names they don't have to spell out. I know DH just accepts he will always have to spell out his name (even in France) and doesn't think twice about it really.

I would not know how to pronounce that. (I am in the uk. Not FROM the uk )

I've been married a long time and I still miss my unusual surname.
However, I don't miss being told I don't exist.
Unfortunately one easy miss spelling, changed my surname into a common one behind with a completely different letter!

Beginning with!

Fig how are we meant to say Jamesons?

I should add I have the most boring, easy name ever and I still have to tell people how to spell it.

My dp's last name is Irish, and if pronounced properly is fine. If it isn't, it sounds very close to a vaguely rude word. My children have it as part of their hyphenated name- and we have considered changing the spelling so that it 's always pronounced properly. But only because of the rude word element- I wouldn't otherwise.

I think you just have to say "mcYown- that's spelled....." The Scottish pronunciation is standard in England, I'm sorry to say- you'll have to start a one woman reeducation campaign!

dreaming are you me?!

I retain my maiden name for precisely this reason although I do socially use DH's. Plus a 6 letter surname which has to be spelt in both is easier than a 3 word surname spelt in both.

The way she tells me, it's more like "jemsons" whereas I pronounce it "jamasons"

If I say your name as it is meant OP....then I sound Irish! Its like magic! But I'm not...I'm English....so with no Irish accent it comes out in my own accent.

It's due to accents.

fwiw my DH is Aussie and he says Merceeedeees instead of Mercedes. they all do the weirdos.

Just thinking "jaymahsons" is more how I say it. Not like Jam!

DoesNotGiveAFig

I thought it was Jamson's.

nah. Don't do that. It's got entertainment value My surname is very unusual - for england. It's a kikuyu name.

It's fun (if a little mean) to let people have a go. [going straight to hell emoticon]

So much of this is accent...a Scottish friend says "Here...have your ain drink and stop looking at mine" instead of OWN it's always AIN. Which is charming. BUt he'd never tell me to say "Ain" and not "Own"

IN DHs home town French words are pronounced madly...Jervois Bridge becomes

Jer VOICE Bridge....I would never be so rude to tell them their French is bad.

Tree Oh good, I'm glad I'm not the only one!!

I like the name, I would consider changing, but I would just feel so silly not pronouncing my own name right.

Fig I also say jay-me-sons. Ach, I've said that in Ireland even! Ah well.

I love how KitchenRoll has also managed to call CailinDana Caitlin

I know how McKeown is pronounced, but I'm in the North-West where every other person is of Irish descent.

I blame auto correct. Same goes for every typo I ever make.

Band if we do ever live in the US I expect DH to go bonkers... there are so many French place names that have been badly anglicized.

My fave is Baton Rouge, pronounced batten rooj.

That happens a lot LeBOF.

At least none of you get called mrs Raper by mistake, I do (grumbles bitterly at not managing to marry a fitzgerald or similar)

shopping sorry, but PMSL!

Oh dear shopping, that's pretty bad. I'm trying to think what your actual name
is - is it Irish?

YANBU. My surname is scottish gaelic - the English can never say it as it uses a sound which just doesn't occur in the english language.

I will be using my husband's name professionally I think.

Good God. So everyone should change the spelling and pronunciation of their names to suit the English speaking world? How utterly bizarre and arrogant