why can't people just use their ethnic names?

Question

i have often wondered why people (or their parents) with perfectly good and decent ethnic names choose to append a Judeo-Christian prefix.

as an example, the ethnic chinese (even those without any affiliation to Christianity) do this. e.g. Wong Su-Yi becomes Sarah Wong.

the usual reason given is that it's "easier to pronounce/remember/call". but i wonder if there are any deeper issues they are grappling with. is it possible that having a so-called Christian name more closely identifies a person with being Caucasian, with all the perceived "superiority" it implies? a post-colonial phenomena perhaps?

i don't get it. do you?

this phenomenon is not restricted to folks transplanted to a different culture. just look at hong kong and asian countries. those places are full of people who append western/english names to their own.

Answer 1

because sometimes the names are not pronounced right and it opens the door for ridicule and taunting.........

Answer 2

Well if they're trying to assimilate or adapt to a new culture than why not? Why are they trying to be more "caucasian"? Maybe they're just turning these names into less "caucasian" names. When I think about names like Albert or Esther, I definitely think of Asian people, and have met many Asians with those names and no white people with those names.

I agree with you though, I think it's sad when people ditch the names they were born with just to "fit in". But if they want to change their name, and they're proud of their new name than I don't think its wrong.

Answer 3

In America, people assume their culture (generic white) is the predominant culture and other people need to change to reflect the society they are comfortable with.

It's not just foreign names; they mock American born people whose names don't match the WASP ideal, or any other spelling of a common name.

I know too many people, both foreigner and Americans, who have coworkers or neighbors who can't be bothered to learn the correct spelling and pronounciation of a proper name. They claim it's too weird or hard, when WASP names can sound just as alien to other people.

Answer 4

i am British born and bred and i had to change my name not because i was ashamed but because i was sick of people taking the p**s when it was mis pronounced or turning it into a nasty nickname for example my surname jeavons it is supposed to be pronounced jevans but it was always being said as jeevans and my first-name was just as bad so sometimes it is easier to change your given name to avoid the embarrassment and humiliation and upset of ridicule especially where children are concerned as kids can be very cruel.

Answer 5

Because immigrant parents want their children to be American, so they give the names they think of as American.
It is why they came here.

Answer 6

i think it is just so that the ywont be so easily teased for their name and the way is is commonly mispronounced...

Answer 7

lack of ethnic pride,they wish all to be Shaka Zulu or Jefferson