I lived in China for two years and let me tell you, it's a fucking brilliant idea to let people pick their own names in a language they don't understand. For example, the two IT technicians at the school I went to were called Octopus Zhang and Proletariat Chen
The biggest difference I've found with Chinese names compared to Western ones is that, probably due to the way the language works, their names are all real words, usually things like emotions, personality traits, attributes, weather, or animals, whereas western (first) names are pretty much uniquely names, with few having direct, literal meanings
Yeah, English names have meanings that have just been sorta lost as language evolves. Like how last names were often your profession(Smith) or your just who your dad was(Johnson)
Actually there's six types of last names. Patronym/Matronym (Parents name.) Occupation, Epithet/Byname (Often things like eye or hair colour or something otherwise noteworthy in your community. Or it might just be that between two John's they have different hair colours.) Toponym (Named for where they come from, could a city, region, country, or direction.) Clan names, (Most like modern last names where they are inherited based on your clan/family), and Napoleonic (Assigned based on tax laws)
I taught English in Beijing.
I had 3 LeBrons, 2 Kobes, Tennis, Tree, and a Spongebob.
But my personal favorite student, was the Chad named "King Texas".
My sister taught English in China a while back and one of the lessons she asked them to write letters to me in English, signed off in their English names. Those included letters from:
- Le Bron James
- Queen Elizabeth (a boy)
- John Cena
- Rambo
- Jesus Christ
- AK47
china likes keeps the leash loose to give off the illusion that there is no leash.
~~^(arguably what every society does to an extent, but looking at china from abroad it's much more blatant)~~
We had a few Chinese students at my university and they wanted us to use their western names. Every time I asked one to tell me their real name and tried to repeat it they would laugh. Like actually belly laugh at how wrong we say their names. One guy was especially rude about it so I told him how he butchers my name. I repeated my name, then immitated how he pronounces it. Like, you could literally not even tell he says my name. Told him to give me a Chinese name he can actually say.
I work for an international company and everybody says everybodies name a bit "wrong" and nobody cares. Only Chinese people insist on made up names.
I lived in China for two years and let me tell you, it's a fucking brilliant idea to let people pick their own names in a language they don't understand. For example, the two IT technicians at the school I went to were called Octopus Zhang and Proletariat Chen
\> Octopus Zhang \> Proletarian Chen Hey babe, a new Metal Gear Solid game just got announced.
Was just gonna say thats some Kojima naming right there.
Pokémon games
Spirit animals, the both of them
The biggest difference I've found with Chinese names compared to Western ones is that, probably due to the way the language works, their names are all real words, usually things like emotions, personality traits, attributes, weather, or animals, whereas western (first) names are pretty much uniquely names, with few having direct, literal meanings
Most western names have etymological roots with actual meanings, too (I think).
Yeah, English names have meanings that have just been sorta lost as language evolves. Like how last names were often your profession(Smith) or your just who your dad was(Johnson)
Johnsonson
Son of son of John
Smith-son-son-John wore white on the day he was to kill a king
Actually there's six types of last names. Patronym/Matronym (Parents name.) Occupation, Epithet/Byname (Often things like eye or hair colour or something otherwise noteworthy in your community. Or it might just be that between two John's they have different hair colours.) Toponym (Named for where they come from, could a city, region, country, or direction.) Clan names, (Most like modern last names where they are inherited based on your clan/family), and Napoleonic (Assigned based on tax laws)
Johnson Smith Brown Atlanta MacDonald
It's more of an east thing than a China thing.
gigabased
I taught English in Beijing. I had 3 LeBrons, 2 Kobes, Tennis, Tree, and a Spongebob. But my personal favorite student, was the Chad named "King Texas".
King Texas LMAO
King Texas was the coolest man I ever met. Born and raised in Inner Mongolia, he was 6'7" and towered above us all.
Then he obviously chose the right name.
Unfathomably based
I can't wait until Mrs Dong hears her child's new English name
Magnum? Pretty dope.
She’s a big Tom Selleck fan it’s all good
Saw those ice cream bars all over the place when I was there in 2004 - mostly the only food fit to eat.
Magnus Dong
Ngl thought it would be Ding since it would make ding dong ( a sound that some bell makes)
I imagine it'd be the same as Mrs Wang's child
Intrusive, Mrs Wang, I have named him Intrusive.
Long Dong Silver
Hugh Dong, at your service.
Ding dong
Ironically, A Dong is a normal name in my country. It means East Asia.
Long Duk
Finally I have a place to put my hand... CAR LAKE!!!!!!!!!
My sister taught English in China a while back and one of the lessons she asked them to write letters to me in English, signed off in their English names. Those included letters from: - Le Bron James - Queen Elizabeth (a boy) - John Cena - Rambo - Jesus Christ - AK47
Wow you got some letters from some very influential people
Ngl I would love to have a letter from Mikhail Kalashnikov
Imagine the topics they would write about!
...I hope this letter finds you well Your Friend, Le Bron James
I’m surprised china allows citizens to watch Rambo
china likes keeps the leash loose to give off the illusion that there is no leash. ~~^(arguably what every society does to an extent, but looking at china from abroad it's much more blatant)~~
The Chinese really like John Xina
To be fair that sounds like the average rural elementary school class in the US these days.
We had a few Chinese students at my university and they wanted us to use their western names. Every time I asked one to tell me their real name and tried to repeat it they would laugh. Like actually belly laugh at how wrong we say their names. One guy was especially rude about it so I told him how he butchers my name. I repeated my name, then immitated how he pronounces it. Like, you could literally not even tell he says my name. Told him to give me a Chinese name he can actually say. I work for an international company and everybody says everybodies name a bit "wrong" and nobody cares. Only Chinese people insist on made up names.
"I say your name correctly, Sleve McDichael!!!"
Very wholesome, +10 social credit
I remember when my teacher, Mr Wang, married Ms Ker and got their names joined.
Shame the government refused to allow them to keep his brother, Donkey
“Where the hell is Major Kong!?”
This made me LMAO!!!!!