What's in a name
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (379679)
Rockingham, Australia
February 14, 2026 8:21pm CST
The title is a line that appears in a very old Australian poem. It goes on about how smitten the author is with a girl called Doreen.
To Westerners like myself, some Asian names seem very strange and it’s hard not to laugh at them. I’m sure Western names can cause some merriment too. I’m not wishing to be disrespectful here but just sharing some names of people we met.
When we were in Thailand some years ago, we came across people called Pong, Porn, Ning Nong and Somsuk. This time Vince met a very nice lady called Meow. I remember seeing shop signs with ‘FU*K’ on them. There is no 'C' in their word but myLot is objecting to a three-letter word.
I know sometimes it is suggested that Asians might like to choose a new name to save themselves embarrassment when they come to Australia. We should all be respectful of a person’s name but in some cases, in a new country, it’s probably a good idea to choose something more acceptable.
I can’t find my photo of the shop sign but this poor model in Nepal is secured by his neck which seemed a bit bizarre.
12 people like this
9 responses
@xFiacre (14665)
• Ireland
15 Feb
@judyev A man my father taught in Malawi took a European name as was often the case - Hitler. Father had to give a history lesson. There were also a Handlebars and Waste Paper Basket in the college. It was a very remote place in the 60s and people had little context to go by when choosing names.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (207300)
• United States
15 Feb
I bet the lady named Meow is sleek and catlike..
3 people like this
@JudyEv (379679)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb
Mostly I think the V sign would be considered 'two fingers' here rather than just one. A lot of Asians seem to use a horizontal V with both hands either side of the eyes. I'm not sure what it means although it's 'nice' rather than 'nasty'.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52718)
• Mojave, California
15 Feb
Very true, I never get why people are just so disrespectful. They are coming for our land and businesses I guess. No, actually the people that have that view is what you do or your ancestors did.
Funny you asked that, I went to look it up my name to make sure I had it right. There is all kind of legends why parents named their kid that. Mine said, a warrior, I go but that is what I go by, but what about my real name. It goes a warrior, granted its just a one syllable change.
I ask my self why did I fight so hard to get in this world where my Mom would want to name me that? 
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52718)
• Mojave, California
15 Feb
@JudyEv that is true, sometimes you just cant argue.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28230)
• Singapore
15 Feb
Names can be tricky and even funny.
"He" is a surname in China.
While travelling in Paris Metro, the station names in French was confusing to me, the way it was pronounced.
I recall hearing soccer commentary when Wayne Rooney was playing for England in Japan.
As they cannot pronounce R, he was mentioned as Looney!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (134300)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Feb
Names are different everywhere. But the F one is interesting
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (220745)
• United States
15 Feb
I doubt I would change my name to travel to a different country.
1 person likes this
@nicegolden (397)
• Shenzhen, China
16 Feb
Nong is the first name of a group of Chinese,but I have no idea what's the meaning of Ning,what's it?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (379679)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Feb
The words I’ve mentioned are all people’s names so they don’t mean anything.
