Of Harry Koks and Wee Ginas
The thing about the Chinese is that we were given pretty canggih names at birth, and unfortunately some of these names can be pretty hard to pronounce. Stuff like Tze Siong or Bee Siang, sometimes to make our non-Chinese friends' lives better, we give ourselves Christian names - to simplify things. These days some people even take up japanese names (Yuki? I met a few Yukis in the last year).
The key word is simplify. For some reason some people like to give themselves something more special - but … I mean, sometimes, 'special' may not be so good lah.
I met someone called Arseanus the other day. No serious. Apparently its supposed to be after the Catholic saint St Arsenius, but this genius decided that he's got to be a little more special, and so he said, 'It Urshaynays…' and I went, 'Huh? How do you spell that.'
'A-R-S-E-A-N-U-S.'
Dude. You stupid or what?
—
Speaking of names. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think before you decide to get all creative, or come up with some name that would set you apart. On my linkedin network, there are six HARRY KOKs. How many Harry Koks are there in your linked in?
And then I heard of this girl who, because she had a very difficult to pronounce Chinese name, came into the office one day telling everyone to call her Gina. Then she went to admin to order a new set of name cards. And when she conveniently decided to take off her given, susah to pronounce Chinese name, and replaced it with Gina. To make it more sophiscated and special, apparently.
The problem is, her surname was Wee. So Gina ended up giving away namecards introducing herself as 'Wee Gina'. So very special, kan?
Man I'm going to have problems thinking of names - Eric's surname is Yeow!
July 11th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Try Azhlynn(e) for a girl. I seriously dunno what my cousin was thinking.
Well, one thing I’ve always hated is the tendency for M’sians to misspell names on purpose - Ayden (Aidan), Brendon (Brandon), Emelia (Amelia), Dominic (Dominique), Daphany (Daphne)…
I also know of a girl who wants to name her future son Napoleon and a few more ladies who want names like Hudson, Rylee, Braxton, Ovision for their sons.
For their daugthers, they want Hally, Daphany, Jennylee, Caryn, Maestri…
Well, you get my drift. The thing is where did all these people come from?
Oh, I know of a girl who’s English name is Stanley. Go figure.
July 11th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Oh me gawd!! you are pregnant!!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
OMG Arseanus. AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA. It would be even funnier if his surname was Butt…
I’ve met an Apollo and a Furniture before. don’t ask.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Yeow Momma so fat…….
Alright that was lame.
How many you aiming for Claire?
July 11th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I don’t see anything amiss with Brendon, Emelia or Caryn. Those are pretty standard variations. Nothing wrong with Dominic either if it’s a guy…
What I really dislike is the use of common Western surnames as first names amongst Chinese guys - Johnson, Jackson, Wilson etc etc. And seriously, no more Mervyns, Melvins, Kevins and Kelvins please!
July 11th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
just use chinese names. let the little ones choose their own english name, if they want to, when they are older. who knows, maybe it future it’s yapunis! imagine, Tsubasa Yeow, heh!
July 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
But I can’t find you on linked in
July 12th, 2008 at 10:44 am
ultimate!!!
July 12th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Seven: Well, Dominic for a girl is like Stanley when it’s a she. Anyway, can you imagine just pronouncing these names? People have problems just saying a simple name like Timothy and yet I hear things like Ti-mo-they or Ti-moo-ti. >.<
July 16th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
lol…trying to b nice & fragrant end up ugly & busuk
wats wrong wif sticking 2 chinese name? if Lau Sai so hard to col …then juz ask ppl col u Sai lar rite
yeow yoh ?
yeow sui ?
yeow san ?
wat a good surname to find an easy match! hehe