<p>Hi,
when i emigrated from korea a few years ago, i never really got an anglicized name like many others do for convenience...i still go by my given name, which can be easily mispronounced by most people.</p>
<p>so i'm wondering if i should anglicize my name for university. i sometimes feel that it takes more time for people to remember my name and who i am because my name is a little harder to remember than most anglicized names. </p>
<p>but on the other hand, i feel like anglicizing my name symbolizes giving up a distinct part of my culture and who i am...</p>
<p>any thoughts on this from an outsider's perspective?</p>
<p>Your name is your culture and your culture is what makes you unique. Personally, I remembered my asian friends’ given names more than their anglicized name. I had a hard time at first…but I got it down :)</p>
<p>Ultimately it’s up to you…but I think you should stick with your given name.</p>
<p>I am an Asian woman married to a white guy. I am glad I kept my asian first name because if I’ve changed my first name to Mary, and taken my husband last name, say Smith, then I would have been Mary Smith. I definitely do not look like a Mary Smith. Both of my kids have Asian first names and Caucasian last name. They are quite proud of their names. People also remember them because of their names, or maybe their good looks.</p>
<p>I don’t think it is necessary, but if it would make you feel more comfortable then you should do what’s right for you.</p>
<p>My mother is from Hong Kong and my dad is Caucasian…while she chose an anglicized name back when she emigrated here, she kept her Chinese maiden name when she married. I’ve always admired her for that.</p>
<p>The beauty of America is that any name can be an American name, or at least, a name Americans can be comfortable with.</p>
<p>I’d refer you to the case of our current President, Barack Hussein Obama.
(This, after we hanged a man named ‘Hussein’)</p>
<p>I don’t really like our current president, but it certainly says something for the cultural adaption of this country - Keep your name, and wear it proudly.</p>
<p>@Collegehopefull: Another example is the current governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. When he emigrated to the U.S. in the 1970’s the brain-addled PR people told him that he would have no chance in America if he didn’t change his name. Arnold knew what actually underlies the American dream. Most Americans understand Shakespeare’s line:</p>
<p>I’d say keep your old name. It will not only help you keep your distinct culture, but it will also make you more memorable, as some previous posters have said. There is nothing wrong with having a foreign name: if anything, I think it’s a great asset, because it’s a key part of who you are and you’re showing it to the world.</p>
<p>thanks for all of your input!
i always thought it would be just more convenient to have i guess an anglicized nickname…just because its easier to remember and pronounce. i always felt that when i first met some people, it always took a while for them to get comfortable with it, and so i wanted an outsider’s perspective on this before i make my decision!</p>
<p>but i think all of the posts above unanimously encourages to keep my name?</p>
<p>What’s in a name? That which we call Harvard by any other name would be as prestigious…except Yale.
On topic, please don’t change your name. Your name represents who you are. Everyone is unanimous on this one.</p>
<p>@ Feral: Only in the same way the Bolivians killed Guevara.</p>
<p>@ Colm: Arnold is one of my favorite politicians; there’s an excellent video on youtube of a protester throwing an egg at him.</p>
<p>The Termi, er, Governator, removes his jacket, remarks that the guy now owes him bacon, and delivers a great monologue about the freedom of speech in America.</p>
<p>@outoftown: If there are any people on CC who want you to change your name, they certainly haven’t posted here.</p>
I am glad I kept my asian first name because if I’ve changed my first name to Mary, and taken my husband last name, say Smith, then I would have been Mary Smith. I definitely do not look like a Mary Smith. Both of my kids have Asian first names and Caucasian last name. They are quite proud of their names. People also remember them because of their names, or maybe their good looks.</p>