Interesting English names used by Chinese survey
xiaophil
February 18, 2010, 12:09 AM posted in General DiscussionAs most of us know, Chinese people often adopt an English name to facilitate communication with foreigners (e.g. Jenny Zhu, Connie, etc.). Simon's interesting post on user names has inspired me to ask y'all, what are some interesting English names used by Chinese people that you have encountered?
bababardwan
...so you have actually encountered these personally xiaophil?..and were they using them formally [天啊] as names,or more as nicknames amongst mates?
xiaophil
I have met all except Lucifer. When I was doing training at Philips Electric, one of my students said, "We have a colleague who calls himself Lucifer. Is that appropriate?" I almost burst out laughing, but I tried to stay professional. I said, "Probably not the best name. Some religious people might not like that."
I'm a teacher, so I don't know if the students used these out of class, but they definitely insisted on using them in class.
zhenlijiang
changye
Hi zhenlijiang
What's been up with you? Are you recently busy due to "Chinese New Year"? Anyway, let me greet you from China, 旧正月、明けましておめでとうございます！
xiaophil
Zhen,
I think I did ask them all except Lucifer, and when they seemed a little hesitant, I decided not to push them. As their teacher, I don't want to unintentionally embarrass them, i.e. make them lose face.
I do remember the reason Best chose his name. He told me it was his intention to be the best. He had lots of ambition but honestly not exceptional ability (although better than average). It was his way to psych himself up. I respected that.
bababardwan
The interesting thing I've noticed is that while Western names do have meanings associated with them,in the main people would have to look them up in baby name books to find out what the meaning is as generally they are not words used in everyday speech,whereas it seems to me that Chinese names often do have everyday usage,so it may seem more natural to pick names that have such meanings.
xiaophil
Exactly, I think maybe some of them don't realize that Westerners don't just willy-nilly make up a name.
xiaophil
Exactly, I think maybe some of them don't realize that Westerners don't just willy-nilly make up a name.
xiaophil
Exactly, I think maybe some of them don't realize that Westerners don't just willy-nilly make up a name.
bababardwan
hehe,maybe their main exposure to Westerners choosing baby names has been through Hollywood celebs,so who could blame them from jumping to that conclusion?
orangina
I grew up with a girl who's step brother's name was Foot. Granted it is a hippie community. There were a few kids running around with unconventional names, but that one stands out.
bababardwan
...leisi jiaozhi tong
xiaoxiaotom
a nice name I recently encountered - even written on her namecard: "Rainbow"! Sometimes I think we in the West really put too strict a limit on the names we give to ourselves :)
xiaophil
I think you can say 顺便提一下. Perhaps somebody out there can verify that.
kittmm6
February 18, 2010, 12:22 AMBlood, Chair, Dolphin....
xiaophil
Chair, somehow I like that one. I hope Blood is a metal fan.
bababardwan
February 18, 2010, 12:24 AM...so you have actually encountered these personally xiaophil?..and were they using them formally [天啊] as names,or more as nicknames amongst mates?
xiaophil
February 18, 2010, 12:29 AMChair, somehow I like that one. I hope Blood is a metal fan.
zhenlijiang
February 18, 2010, 01:53 AMxiaoxiaotom
February 18, 2010, 06:39 AMa nice name I recently encountered - even written on her namecard: "Rainbow"! Sometimes I think we in the West really put too strict a limit on the names we give to ourselves :)
xiaophil
February 18, 2010, 06:53 AMI forgot to mention something above. Another phenomena I have encountered is an English name that is almost a real English name. I don't know why, but I have had at least three student's named Jessical. Where that 'l' come from, I have no idea.
xiaophil
February 18, 2010, 12:14 AMOkay, I'll start. Here are my favorites:
Additionally, I have also encountered many Chinese who use Japanese names for their English names, and when I tell them that using a Japanese name as an English name is missing the point, they are often a bit indigent about it. When the Korean singer Rain was was hot in China, I met numerous Chinese that shared the same name. I have found a few boys using girls names and vice versa. There has been no shortage of boys naming themselves after NBA stars. One student named himself after the Brazilian soccer player, Kaka, but I'm sorry, I don't want to call someone 'caca'. Finally, I have met many Chinese people that can't even spell their English name. I can sympathize, because I sometimes have to stop and think how to write my Chinese name.