Chinese using "American" names

[atom]

The reason some adopt an American name is the same reason they keep their Chinese name.

American name -> easier to pronounce to Americans/Europeans, etc.
Chinese name -> easier to pronounce to Asians

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
This isn't just common in China. It's every Asian country. I went to Taiwan and Hong Kong last year on vacation and just about EVERYONE had an American name. What I find strange is that they choose names that are either too common or not common at all. I heard of this one guy who named himself "Hey-yo-n**ga" but I assure you he didn't know what that meant when he named himself that. :disgust:

well actually everyone in hk has a brit name 🙂

they are just yellow brits u know hehe😉

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: kranky
I can understand if someone wants to change their name - but once they do, isn't that their name? Why use both?

My fiance (who's been here since 10) has a Chinese name and an American name. Her official documents (including college records) have her Chinese name, but I've always called her by her American name. She finally became an American citizen 2 short years ago and most of her documents have both her American name and Chinese name (as middle) so to have proof that she's really her for official documents (mortgage, etc.). What a PITA, but she had to do it.

I go by a name (given but shortened) that consists all of 5 letters, first and last. Even easier than John Smith. 😉

 

[Angrymarshmello]

It's a lot easier to say "David" than it is to get out 10 attempts of the correct pronounciation of "Wai". (My father's American & Chinese name) It's easier to make up an American name and let neighbors/coworkers call you that

 

[HorizonSeeker]

about a week into my life in the states, I realized that I had two choices, 1) choose a name that's easy for non-Chinese to pronounce or 2) have people butcher my name everytime they try to pronounce it.

I took the easy way out, and said "I'll be David", 11 years later I have yet to hear any non-Chinese prounce my given name correctly.

My last name too, I've given up on trying to get people to say it correctly. My last name happens to be a word in the common English language. I just settle for the English pronounciation (Chinese pronounciation is different) since it was a futile attempt to get them to say it right.

but change to a completely differently last name I have not seen.

Zehui / David Sun

 

[iamme]

i changed my legal name to an American name and used my Korean name as my middle name.

it's such a PITA pronouncing your name 3-4 times so someone can say it.......only to butcher the pronounciation later 🙁

 

[yellowperil]

When my parents immigrated they were asked if they wanted to pick common names. They chose 'Debbie' and 'Paul'...lol (my dad looks like a Paul but Debbie? c'mon 🙂). I'd say it's useful because I've never seen a non-Asian person pronounce my parents' Korean names correctly.

 

[isaacmacdonald]

it's easier to pronounce rose than xiaoying. It is slightly silly that they typically choose inanely common names like jake or bill. My deceased father in law chose "texas wesley", which, if nothing else, is far from common.

 

[Aceshigh]

This is very common in Hong Kong and Singapore. Malaysia too. English is an official language in all those places and I believe it's due to that influence.

 

[TuxDave]

I was born and raised in America also, so I was given an English first name. However, my last name was still my family name but to perserve culture, my middle name became my Chinese name, so I have a little of both.

-Dave-