Choose your western name
For many Europeans, pronouncing a Chinese name is a phonetic exercise – and not many master the subtlety of sounds and precise intonation. Chinese students studying abroad understand that this can be a challenge, and many of them choose to make both their life and that of their colleagues easier by choosing an English name. This practice is not uncommon – especially for those working in an international environment. In fact, even Chinese business books emphasize choosing a “European name” as an essential step in establishing a business relation with the West.
But how does one go about choosing an English name? What criteria should one follow to find a suitable name? We interviewed Chinese students in the Netherlands and came to an interesting conclusion: there are no criteria. Choosing an English name is a creative process that follows no rules. Adopting the name of one’s favourite film star, that of a German Kaiser’s out of the history book or simply inventing a new name, such as Rainbow or Sky – there are no boundaries:
Kheira
Thank you for making this clear! Indeed, I always wondered how they choose their names!