<p>Because I was born in Vietnam, I have a very asian name. Most people when they first hear my name call me "Towel" and I'm starting to get really annoyed. All of my friends and family have normal names that can be easily recognized, as with mine when I introduce myself, I always get the "Wait, Towel?" I'm just fed up.</p>
<p>Basically, I was just wondering how and if I should change my name in college? I really like the name Carina and Isabel. Most people I've asked think it's stupid but... I'm not gonna LEGALLY change it, just maybe a nickname. What do you guys think? Would it eventually stick or am I stuck with being "Towel" forever?</p>
<p>Lots of college students go by a nickname. Many colleges will even give you the option to have a “preferred name” that your professors will see on their course lists.</p>
<p>A lot of people go by something that sounds/is spelled like their given name but is easier to pronounce. If you wanted to go that route, you could go by Tally or something, and nobody would think twice if you asked them to call you Tally because it’s clearly assumed to be an “Americanized” version of your name. You might get a confused look or two asking to be called Carina or Isabel, but if you don’t mind that, go for it! They are both great names, there’s nothing stupid about choosing one of them if you feel like it suits you well.</p>
<p>Also, if you want a new name to stick, just introduce yourself with it all the time. “Hi, nice to meet you, I’m Carina.” Repeat with everyone you meet in college, and tell your profs that’s what you go by during the first roll call of each semester.</p>
<p>A lot of students do this - I know a lot of African and East Asian immigrant/international students with American names adopted as nicknames because they perceive their real names to be difficult to pronounce.</p>
<p>It will eventually stick. I have a friend who changed her name (let’s say from Sarah to Iris) in her first year of grad school. So I have always known her as Iris, but even her friends who knew her as Sarah have started to consistently call her Iris. When they accidentally call her Sarah, she’s made up a joke about it - “Sarah? Who is that? I’m Iris.” It’s worked; even her parents call her Iris. But she has also legally changed her name.</p>
<p>I actually know quite a few people who go by either different versions of their own name or sompletly different names. One of my friends went by her middle name in high school, but since her entire extended family calls her by her first name (which is harder to pronounce; her middle name is Americanized but her first name is a word from another language). In college, she switched to her first name and now that’s what everyone calls her. I have a few other friends who also go by different versions of their name (i.e. a girl named Caroline who apparently went by Carly in high school, and a guy who goes by John now but was J.B. in high school). I think you’ll be absolutely fine.</p>
<p>One of my friends has a Chinese name none of us can properly pronounce, so she just goes by Anna. But as far as changing your name randomly and having to tell your friends to call you by a new name, just go for it! Another one or my friends who I’ve know for 2 years starting demanding everyone call her by her proper name a few weeks ago. All her friends had been pronouncing it completely wrong and we never knew because she never corrected anyone! Your friends shouldn’t have a problem with it:)</p>