Difficult Last Name?

Question

I have a last name that is difficult for most people to pronounce. Right now I'm called Mrs. "x" and it's ok but NOT MY NAME. Any suggestions on how I can "train" people on how to say it correctly? Thanks!

It contains 10 letters and ends with "ski" so people first ASSume that it is difficult but it's only 3 syllables long. I tried the association thing when I took a Dale Carnegie course, but it's kind of cheesy.... I do appreciate all the answers so far however.

Answer 1

well it would be helpful if we knew how to pronounce your name or at least see what it looks like. Considering it is in another language it may be pronounced alot differently in English or any other language than it is in its language of origin. For example the footballer Ronaldinho's name is pronounced very differently in English than it is in Brazilian Portuguese.

Answer 2

When I got married I changed my name- my maiden name is 4 letters long, SUPER-EASY to pronounce, very phonetic, no tricky stuff...
My married name is 11 letters long, and even though the name is found in the Bible, people still end up slaughtering it. Some people- I understand the challenge (I work with little children in my church, and it's pretty hard to wrap a 2-yr-old tongue around my name), but others- Not!.... Even my mother-in-law, a 4th grade teacher has her students call her "Mrs B."..

In addition my first name is a.... uh, compound name- two normal, ordinary names, but put them together and 90% of the people I meet can't pronounce it right, even after I pronounce it for them- it's a matter of which syllable is stressed...

I just accept that they're ok with doing a half-a--'d job...

My husband has an aunt who's name can very easily be shortened... although she doesn't like it shortened. She worked for a guy who refused to call her by her full name, and finally, she just started calling "Timothy" by "Tim"... It was definitely effective.

Answer 3

Well you said it's okay, so why bother waste time "training" people how to say it? If it has a long confusing pronunciation, then most likely people would never get it. No one wants homework. What's wrong with just using your first name anyway? I know it's more informal, but at least that would be pronounced correctly (I hope).

Answer 4

Congratulations! Boys: Andrew Nix Oliver Nix Charles Nix Daniel Nix Robert Nix Louis Nix women: Clara Nix Leah Nix Rose Nix Julia Nix best pal Nix Olivia Nix Elizabeth Nix Hannah Nix Valerie Nix Isabelle Nix Cristina Nix Meredith Nix Martina Nix

Answer 5

Actually, simply correct them as if you are fully aware that it's difficult to pronounce, then smile when they say it correctly and continue on with your conversation. Mission accomplished and no hard feelings.

I've had trouble with the following names:
* Pfaff - the p is silent and the correct pronunciation is faff. If you never heard it, how would you know?
* D'Hoste - pronounced "de host"

Both were doctors I've gone to.

Answer 6

Try to find things that rhyme with the name, and see if you can't associate it with it's meaning. For example, a book that I use to train ESL students has things like "my name is Xing. It rhymes with 'sing' and it means green in Chinese."

Answer 7

You can try....I have a difficult first name, even though it is only four letters long.

When you're introduced to people, you can quickly say your name so they hear it right away. The same on the phone. Chances are, they'll mispronounce it anyway, or say, "Huh?"

I feel your pain!

Answer 8

Some people don't pronounce my last name correct either. Not much you can do besides correct them when they say it wrong, even then it still may not help. I understand if you don't want to post it, but what is your last name?

Answer 9

i have a difficult last name as well, which is also impossible to spell, the most you can do is correct people on it, and eventually they will learn what it is and how to pronounce it

Answer 10

Smile and say, "I'm sorry, my last name is pronounced ________."

People will be pleased that you've spared them the embarrassment of finding out later that they've been calling you the wrong name for such a long time.