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[Cyberpunkd]

So this occurred to me today - I see this especially with immigrant parents where when they have the kids in their new country they will name them one in two ways:

1. To fit in and not cause negative stereotypes - typically they will pick a fairly regular first name
2. To highlight their cultural ancestry even if it comes with baggage - think Mohammed or (in France) Abubakar ; girls names Precious or Shaqeela, etc.

Michael Jordan
Shaquille O'Neal

For those that emigrated to a different place - what did you choose? For people native to their country - are there any thoughts and feelings when speaking to Timothy or Amumadin?

For our kids we picked international names that should be easy to pronounced no matter where they live - our boy is an exception having a very typical French first name, but that can be shortened to very typical international English one.

 

[kanjobazooie]

I just don't want kids to get bullied for having an unusual name.

 

[InterMusketeer]

I could see first or second gen migrants having difficulty letting go of their ancestry in such a tangible way, but IMO over time people of migrant background should assimilate and give their kids local names.

 

[GymWolf]

Both options are good, i doubt this is much of a controversial thing if at all.

Exotic name to remind you of your land is good
International name to never have problems with pronunciation is also good


Maybe when you pick an exotic name don't chose the longest, most complicated in existence to facilitate pronunciation but other than that...


I find way more hilarious people calling their sons demarcus or tre'ston because a normal name wasn't enough

 

[Baemono]

The best approach is probably the chinese approach, where they have 2 names, like one "western" like Justin and a chinese name like "Yu" and both can appear on the passport

 

[mopspear]

Consider the length! When I moved to Japan, I ran out of spaces in all of the forms. First name, middle name, long last name, suffix

 

[AJUMP23]

My kids have ancient Hebrew names. We are not Hebrews.

But much of western civ has used Hebrew names.

There is a bit of certain cultures don't integrate they want to overtake.

 

[Atrus]

Western names are also cultured names and can have their own problems. The focus is to stay away from the naming conventions that are goofy or are difficult to pronounce.

 

[Trunx81]

Shaquille O'Neal is an amazing name, though.

In Germany, you´re out of luck if your name is Kevin.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I wish English would adopt a system to easily spell things.

 

[cormack12]

Your name should fit comfortably on a hospital wristband. That's the guidance everyone needs.

We dont need no O'Reilly-HanniganWatkinsJunior

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Culturally relevent names are fine, but if you name you child "Jihad", don't be suprised when he is not accepted in society.

 

[Days like these...]

My daughters names are Porsche, Asia, Alize and Basquisha don't you dare try to culture shame me.

 

[jason10mm]

It's been well documented that people with names that are unusual and difficult to pronounce are less likely to be interviewed or hired because the hiring people are uncomfortable trying to say the name, so they avoid it altogether. Folks also associates names with certain ethnic groups which may be a good or bad thing for you.

As a guy with a weirdly spelled last name that's IMPOSSIBLE to get right just hearing it (and that's AFTER they tried to anglicize it when we immigrated) , I appreciate the KISS principle with names. Though I gave my son a fairly common first name, I kept the ancient spelling, not the more common brit/american spellings, so he gets a little flack for it from his schoolmates who are ignorant. My wife totally ixnayed the name "Siobhan" for my daughter which I love but is unpronounceable by 98% of americans (probably 99.5% of all humans

Were I to permanently immigrate to a new country, even more so if I were a refugee and grateful for a new host nation, I would ABSOLUTELY try to embrace the local culture as much as possible, including taking a name that is easier for the locals. My name is difficult for spanish speakers to pronounce (correctly, anyway), for example, so I would go by an easier name for them.