Why do people change their name when they move country?
By design
@design (849)
Ireland
December 31, 2006 3:26pm CST
My sister-in-law is Chinese. Here Chinese name is Honhon but when she moved to Ireland she changed it to Minnie. I have come across this so many times, people from Africa/Poland from all over the world really who change their name to an English name possible as its easier to pronounce for those living there. I love the amount of cultures that are in this country now but are they not leaving a major part of their culture out. Their names are so important to their country, So why change it? I know if i was to move abroad i wouldn't change my name.
So have you moved country and changed your name? and why?
Would you change your name if moving to a non English speaking country?
6 people like this
59 responses
@ndraj_2006 (1422)
• India
31 Dec 06
Chinese may have changed thier names. but, indians have never changed there names. indians names can be pronounced easily. it is not much problem to pronounce compare to chiniese names. people will just choose a nick name but, they will change theirname completely.
In english countries its problem to remember indinanames for them so, people who go to there from here change their names.
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
1 Jan 07
Very good question. I've often wondered the same. Your name shows your heritage very often.
@Princess8280 (346)
• United States
31 Dec 06
I honestly don't know why people do that I know someone that had an easy name to pronounce her name was Florenda. But she decided that she was going to name herself Linda. It is strange that people now a days don't want to keep their names. Some people I have noticed that if they have a long name or something that they don't think others can pronounce all the time they end up makin it short or they have a permenant nickname. I wouldn't chnage my name if I were moving to another country.
@kareng (55119)
• United States
31 Dec 06
I work at a university and I have noticed that the Chinese do this all the time. Some do it to make it easy for us to remember their names or to be able to pronounce their names. I also think they do it to fit in to our society.
Since I won't be moving to another country, I don't have to worry about changing my name. I prefer to keep mine as is!
1 person likes this
@rewid08 (45)
• Netherlands
31 Dec 06
I'm Indonesian who now live in Holland. I have a very long and difficult last name. In fact it's not family name. We don't use family name in Indonesia. When I move here, it's very difficult for people to remember my last name, even my first. Now that I'm married to a Dutch, I often address myself with his last name. Only for practical reason, though. I can't take his name officially since I'm not Dutch.
1 person likes this
@lafavorito (2959)
• Philippines
1 Jan 07
These people acquire english names to make it easier for the people to remember their name. I once had a Korean classmate, her english name is joy but I can't remember her Korean name. I asked her why she chose to use an english name, she said she's afraid that some people might make fun of her name because it is hard to pronounce for them.
@southernpixie (741)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I have never met anyone who has changed their name upon moving to another country. But I can say that I don't think I would change my name because my name is a part of me. It's the name that my parents chose for me.
@swapnil1985 (219)
• India
1 Jan 07
Well first thing is that i have never moved out of my country. and i will not change my name if so in case of moving to an non english speaking country. I like my name and it will create problem with the visa and passport also. andy way i have heard it on first time about it.
@xXmeganxX (4421)
•
31 Dec 06
my sister's boyfriend come to UK to live and he changed his name, he say's he doesn't feel comfortable with his own name here and he wants an easy name so people can pronounce it better.
1 person likes this
@iDABIErock (93)
• Philippines
1 Jan 07
i do have korean classmates. They used their english name but most of their classmates including me call them with their korean name. I also had a big question in mind, why do they have to change their name?.. i once asked them and answered me "so that it won't be hard for you to pronounce my name"she said.
well, isnt it much better if we practice calling them with their original name??what do u think?
@goldjay (465)
• United States
1 Jan 07
I guess people change their names so that they feel that they can fit in better in the place that they are living. I would not change my name. I am happy with myself and would want people to accept me for who I am despite my name.
@vishal2800 (34)
• India
1 Jan 07
may be people change their name for the sake to hide their identity or to forget old life and start with everything new. or may be they always wanted to change their name to their favourite character.
@mhv236690 (341)
• India
1 Jan 07
i suppose these ppl arent happy wid their name in a different country or i supppos they want to ease the pressure of the citisens of that country by maing their name simpler!!or might be they want it bo new and very attractive!!
@cnetboss (2475)
• Philippines
1 Jan 07
Some Chinese here in the Philippines adapt an English name because some of their names are difficult to pronounce. In some religions like Islam if you are a Muslim convert your name would be change (example Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali).
It's a matter of choice and convenience on the part of the person.
@vaviacharya (327)
• India
1 Jan 07
I think there is no law that can bind an individual to change his or her name after moving to another country. Normally the change of name takes place, when an individul embrace another religion. Naturally he or she has to change the name according to the religion. Some of my family members have moved to USA and not changed name.
@cbearun123 (84)
• India
1 Jan 07
I THINK CHANGING THE NAME IS NOT A PROBLEM BUT KEEP ON CHANGING THE NAME IS NOT CORRECT.
@sidearthman (179)
• India
1 Jan 07
i think that u r right...moving to an another country that the person should change his name.the name of the person represents his identity and the identity of the country to which he belongs.............. do reply with ur comments
