racism, judgement on 'ethnic' names?

[missytequila]

While going through the great name debate for my daughter due in a few weeks, I have had a few people say that with a 'difficult to pronounce' african surname... that we MUST have a first name that is 'english/european' or else risk her being discriminated against.

Would love to know what mumsnetters think... I am mixed european descent, hubby is west african. Is judgement still passed these days on names?

For example is Alice Kweli far better than Afia Kweli?

Would like honesty, am not offended either way, in fact we like a handful of both african and european names...just wondering what you thought....

[edam]

Minty - ds has a simple Welsh first name. Anglicised spelling, four letters, two syllables, is VERY common as a surname even in England... and still people get it wrong.

Doesn't compare to discrimination against people with very African or Asian names, of course. But odd.

[SerenityNowakaBleh]

Okay, what if they go back and have very English name, which is unusual in their home country and nobody can pronounce it there, or they're discriminated against on that basis?

[SerenityNowakaBleh]

Personally I think the best solution is to have names from both heritages, so that the child can choose when they're older, or move more easily from one culture to another.

[mathanxiety]

Afia is lovely imo, and actually likely to be confused with Aoife, the way things are going. I agree that a lot could change in 20 years -- look at the growing acceptability of Irish names over the years, even names like Saoirse which is (a) not pronounced as it looks to English eyes, and (b) means 'freedom' so to some it appears to have political baggage.

[bellissima]

I must say I think that the recruitment policy described by maisiethemorning sounds brilliant.

[ToccataAndFudge]

I suppose it could happen - but I think possibly unlikely in many Africa countries (couldn't speak for Asian/Middle East ones).

Where European first names have been used for several generations XH's father is called Jeremiah, he has eldery Aunts and Uncles that include George, Sandra,

I would say that easily 1/2 of each class I taught out there (10yrs ago+) had European first names, and DH's youngest brother (in his late 20's now) has the wonderful name of...........Kevin

[SerenityNowakaBleh]

Agreed Toccata - Definitely less likely to happen in African countries, IME, particularly those which were former British colonies where English-y names are pretty common (SAn, DF from Zimbabwe). I'm thinking more Middle East and Asia

[ToccataAndFudge]

Yes I suppose it could well be different for Middle East/Asian countries.

I was sat here trying to think of a European name that would be considered strange back in Zim - and struggling

[SerenityNowakaBleh]

I was also thinking that, and the best I could come up with was Saudi father, Spanish mother, have DS called Jesus.

[ToccataAndFudge]

oooo yes that would be interesting.

[PrettyCandles]

I am not English, and have an unsual name that people often struggle with. Dh is English, but considered that his first name was weird (I disagree, but maybe it was unusual where he grew up). The result is that our dc have cross-cultural names, that can be understood and pronounced by both families, and that don't seem weird to either. Tho of course my mum doesn't understand why we chose the English pronunciation. [shrug]

IMO Alice and Afia are both lovely and easy to pronounce. Personally (and if you're intending on living in European countres) I'd be inclined to choose an easy-to-pronounce name from either culture.

[mathanxiety]

Might it not also be the case that in certain professional areas, having an 'ethnic' name could be an advantage? Someone has already suggested that in a creative area, a multi-cultural name would not be a disadvantage. And there is a perception that SE Asians excel at maths and science, so perhaps having a name that indicates SE Asian heritage wouldn't be a disadvantage in a profession where strong skills in maths and science would be needed. Of course, the underlying horrible fact of prejudice (even if it works to your advantage) remains. It shouldn't be there.

[SerenityNowakaBleh]

I remember reading a couple of years ago that the barrister profession in the UK is dominated by ....


Drumroll please ....



Nigerians.

[skihorse]

I have a very strange surname (scottish gaelic) but an international surname.

I have been to job interviews where upon I was told "gosh! You're white".

So yes... there will be prejudice with names.

[fernie3]

I dont think there are any rules about this in fact I would say the opposite - sometimes really plain first names sound a little odd with more unusual surnames!