Is Michael a suitable and respectable name choice for me?

[Hawer]

Hi everyone, I am a 44-year-old Kurdish man who has lived in the UK for 8 years. I am starting college soon and I want to choose a name that fits well here. I've always liked the name Michael. Is it a good, respectable choice for my age? I'd love to hear your thoughts or any other suggestions!ه

Michael is age appropriate. It is my cousins name and he is the same age.

I know lots of people who use an 'English' name. Some of my neighbours do.
Examples: Jerzy and Džordž both known as George, Krisztián known as Kris.

@ReallyOtter, I wanted to say a huge thank you for your constant encouragement and support. You’ve truly become my advocate here, and I’m so grateful for how you’ve stood up for me. I’m honestly proud to have you in my corner as a friend. Thank you!

I have changed nickname regularly and sometimes to non-English ones depending on the friends I'm with.

WEll exactly ...

You obviously love the name @Hawer, so use it. It's perfectly appropriate for your age.

Good luck at college.

OMG all the mono cultural ignoramuses (mi?) are out in force on this thread.

Michael is a great name and how fitting that there is a version in Kurdish.

Mid-life can be the point when people think never mind what others think I will suit myself and make changes that make sense to me.

I think that is the Irish spelling. Some children( of Irish ancestry) in Salford spelt it like that.

I think it is, but in the cases I know of, the name was spelled Michael, and the people misspelling it were not Irish.

The Irish spelling has an accent anyway, Micheál.

Michael is a classic, traditional name and I see no reason why it wouldn’t suit you!

And no, I wouldn’t just assume that this wasn’t your „real“ name. Michael (and its various spellings) is a classic biblical name (that’s even mentioned in the Quran, afaik) so why would I?

And as you’ve already said: Mikael/Mikhail is a name you have in your culture as well so it’s entirely plausible that your name was transliterated in a manner that would suit the local (English) spelling.

And it you picked a less international name (let’s say Séamus)? I might just assume that your parents were a bit enamoured with Ireland / Irish culture (edit: or that you had other ties to Ireland. We live in a fairly multicultural world nowadays…)

Not every Heidi (or Adeldheid) is from one of the DACH country. And if I met a British woman named Heidi I certainly wouldn’t assume that this wasn’t her „real name“!!

@funbuntimes , how fitting that there's an Arabic name for a character that appears in the Quran.

OMG all the mono cultural ignoramuses (mi?) are out in force on this thread.
Physician heal thyself.

I meant to write „and if you picked“, DACH countries and… actually, whatever. I was clearly too distracted when I wrote this 😅

I think it's a great name, go for it!

Michael is solid and handsome.

It is a good choice.
You can officially change your name by deed poll.

You could keep your old name and add Michael at the front.

Michael is a fine name. Do it if that makes you happy!

A nice name and very age appropriate. I admire you for changing a name you dislike to one which feels more "you" (I wish I'd done the same at an earlier point in my life!). Good luck with your studies 😊

I know many Michael's in your age group. I think it is a nice name and of you like it go ahead. Best of luck with your course!

Have youconsidered that you may struggle to get people to use your full name? I expect many will want to shorten it to Mike or Micky?

Nonsense. Your name is your name so own it. I correct people that shorten mine and my husband has always been a Michael.

People don't like being corrected.

Michael is a great name. Can be shortened to Mike, Mikes. All the best for your course

For goodness sake. Of course you can own your own name. Why would you accept someone else’s’ version?

You probably have people rolling their eyes at you. Like mine are right now.