Naming Conventions – or – Naming Conventions – or – How Many Ways Can You How Many Ways Can You

Spell Mohammed?Spell Mohammed?

Office of International ProgramsOffice of International Programs

University of Kansas Medical Center University of Kansas Medical Center

Who We AreWho We Are

Julia Shaw, Julia Shaw, Associate Director, International ProgramsAssociate Director, International ProgramsUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterUniversity of Kansas Medical Center

Kerry Allen, Sr Coordinator Kerry Allen, Sr Coordinator Academic English and Cultural StudiesAcademic English and Cultural StudiesUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterUniversity of Kansas Medical Center

What is in a Name?What is in a Name? Common to all mankindCommon to all mankind SelfSelf Possible associations include:Possible associations include:

• GenderGender• FamilyFamily• Social statusSocial status• GenerationGeneration• Spirituality or religionSpirituality or religion• Region or areaRegion or area• Heritage / RaceHeritage / Race• WealthWealth• OccupationOccupation• CasteCaste

What Do These Names What Do These Names Say to You?Say to You?

Bobbi Sue TaylorBobbi Sue Taylor Floyd and Iris MillerFloyd and Iris Miller Reggie WhiteReggie White Olga JohansenOlga Johansen Salvatore “Sal” FalcoSalvatore “Sal” Falco David Levi SolomonDavid Levi Solomon Basil Thibodeau Basil Thibodeau Tiffany HartTiffany Hart Miguel GarciaMiguel Garcia Mohammed ShiraziMohammed Shirazi

How Many Ways Can How Many Ways Can You Spell Mohammed?You Spell Mohammed?

Transcription & TransliterationTranscription & Transliteration

The “translation” from one writing form to The “translation” from one writing form to another. another. Transcription is a more phonetic interpretationTranscription is a more phonetic interpretation Transliteration represents the letters exactlyTransliteration represents the letters exactly

Why transcription instead of transliteration?Why transcription instead of transliteration? Some English vowel sounds don’t exist in the other Some English vowel sounds don’t exist in the other

language and vice-versalanguage and vice-versa Some English consonant sounds don’t exist in the Some English consonant sounds don’t exist in the

other language and vice-versaother language and vice-versa Some languages are not written with lettersSome languages are not written with letters

Issues Related to Transliteration & Issues Related to Transliteration & TranscriptionTranscription

Lack of consistent rules for some languages or Lack of consistent rules for some languages or varying sets of rulesvarying sets of rules

Country variations in choice of rulesCountry variations in choice of rules Country/regional variations in pronunciation Country/regional variations in pronunciation Same name may be transcribed differently even Same name may be transcribed differently even

within the same familywithin the same family More confusing when common or religious More confusing when common or religious

names cross over several countries with names cross over several countries with different scripts (Islam - Mohammed)different scripts (Islam - Mohammed)

Arabic TranscriptionArabic Transcription There are three letters with vowel sounds There are three letters with vowel sounds

– a, i, u. – a, i, u. Short vowel sounds are not written. Short vowel sounds are not written. The letter “hamza” is a glottal stop, it has The letter “hamza” is a glottal stop, it has

no sound and is not pronouncedno sound and is not pronounced Consonant sounds not found in English Consonant sounds not found in English

include “kh” and “q or gh” include “kh” and “q or gh” Arabic is written from right to leftArabic is written from right to left

Use of Arabic ScriptUse of Arabic Script

Use of Arabic ScriptUse of Arabic Script Middle East and Central AsiaMiddle East and Central Asia

Kurdish and Turkmen in IraqKurdish and Turkmen in Iraq Farsi (Persian) and Baluchi in IranFarsi (Persian) and Baluchi in Iran Dari, Pashto and Uzbek in AfghanistanDari, Pashto and Uzbek in Afghanistan Uyghur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz in northwest ChinaUyghur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz in northwest China

South AsiaSouth Asia Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Kashmiri and Balochi in PakistanUrdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Kashmiri and Balochi in Pakistan Urdu and Kashmiri in IndiaUrdu and Kashmiri in India

Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia Malay in Burnei Malay in Burnei Malaysia, Indonesia, southern Thailand, Singapore and the Phillipines Malaysia, Indonesia, southern Thailand, Singapore and the Phillipines

for religious purposesfor religious purposes AfricaAfrica

Bedawi or Beja in SudanBedawi or Beja in Sudan Hausa in NigeriaHausa in Nigeria Tamazight and other Berber languagesTamazight and other Berber languages

محمدمحمد M-H-M-DM-H-M-D Vowels and their pronunciation depend on regionVowels and their pronunciation depend on region D and T interchangeable and depend on regionD and T interchangeable and depend on region Middle “M” sometimes repeated when transcribedMiddle “M” sometimes repeated when transcribed How do you spell ……?How do you spell ……?

MehmedMehmed MahometMahomet MahmedMahmed MahmudMahmud MuhammedMuhammed MohammedMohammed MohammetMohammet

GadhafiGadhafi Common spellings of Libyan leader Moammar Common spellings of Libyan leader Moammar

Gadhafi's name:Gadhafi's name: QaddafiQaddafi QatafiQatafi QuathafiQuathafi KadafiKadafi KaddafiKaddafi KhadaffiKhadaffi GadhafiGadhafi GaddafiGaddafi GhadafyGhadafy All names listed above with al-………..All names listed above with al-………..

Cyrillic ScriptCyrillic Script

The Cyrillic alphabet is actually a family of The Cyrillic alphabet is actually a family of alphabets, subsets of which are used principally alphabets, subsets of which are used principally in Slavic, but also other, languages. in Slavic, but also other, languages.

Not all letters are used in every language this is Not all letters are used in every language this is written with it. written with it.

Common spelling variations in names occur with Common spelling variations in names occur with the sounds/letters:the sounds/letters:

• Y – J – IY – J – I• Gh – G – HGh – G – H• Zh - JZh - J

Cyrillic to Latin AlphabetCyrillic to Latin Alphabet After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 some After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 some

countries transitioned to the Latin alphabetcountries transitioned to the Latin alphabet UzbekistanUzbekistan AzerbajianAzerbajian TurkmenistanTurkmenistan

In other countries the Cyrillic alphabet is also written in In other countries the Cyrillic alphabet is also written in the Latin alphabetthe Latin alphabet

SerbiaSerbia CroatiaCroatia BulgariaBulgaria BelarusBelarus BosniaBosnia

Use of Cyrillic ScriptUse of Cyrillic Script

Chinese Languages TranscriptionChinese Languages Transcription The major Chinese languages (Mandarin & The major Chinese languages (Mandarin &

Cantonese) are based on images and syllables, Cantonese) are based on images and syllables, known as monosyllabic logograms, rather than known as monosyllabic logograms, rather than individual lettersindividual letters

There is no Chinese alphabetThere is no Chinese alphabet Pinyin style is the type of transcription used in Pinyin style is the type of transcription used in

mainland Chinamainland China Wade-Giles is the type of transcription used in Wade-Giles is the type of transcription used in

Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Uses hyphens between syllablesUses hyphens between syllables

• Wang Mao-hsin or Liu Mei-laiWang Mao-hsin or Liu Mei-lai

Transliteration of Chinese NamesTransliteration of Chinese Names

Names of the World’s Peoples: A Names of the World’s Peoples: A Comprehensive Dictionary of Names in Comprehensive Dictionary of Names in Roman –ChineseRoman –Chinese Complied by the Proper Names and Complied by the Proper Names and

Translation Service of the Xinhua New Translation Service of the Xinhua New AgencyAgency

Based on Mandarin Based on Mandarin Provides standardization of names Provides standardization of names

Japanese TranscriptionJapanese Transcription The Japanese language is expressed through characters and The Japanese language is expressed through characters and

uses more than one writing systemuses more than one writing system Kanji – Chinese charactersKanji – Chinese characters Hiragana – Japanese writing form used when Kanji Hiragana – Japanese writing form used when Kanji

characters don’t exist; curvy letters characters don’t exist; curvy letters Katakana – Used to write “foreign” names and words and Katakana – Used to write “foreign” names and words and

names of other countries; sharper more square like-letters names of other countries; sharper more square like-letters 私はトムを知っている私はトムを知っている

Any name may have several written formsAny name may have several written forms A name written in kanji may have more than one common A name written in kanji may have more than one common

pronunciation. For example, Nakata and Nakada have the pronunciation. For example, Nakata and Nakada have the

same kanji -same kanji -中田中田 小野 洋子 小野 洋子 Ono YōkoOno Yōko may be written in English as Yooko, may be written in English as Yooko,

Youko or Yoko. Her name is pronounced “Yoko” not “Yooko”Youko or Yoko. Her name is pronounced “Yoko” not “Yooko”

Naming ConventionsNaming Conventions

DefinitionsDefinitions

Given nameGiven name Personal namePersonal name American “first name”American “first name” Name a person calls oneselfName a person calls oneself Christian nameChristian name

Second nameSecond name American “middle name”American “middle name”

SurnameSurname American “last name” American “last name” Family nameFamily name Name typically associated with the family but this can vary by Name typically associated with the family but this can vary by

countrycountry In this presentation we provide examples of the naming In this presentation we provide examples of the naming

practice by using American namespractice by using American names

US and Europe Naming US and Europe Naming

Susan Elizabeth JonesSusan Elizabeth Jones Given name Second name SurnameGiven name Second name Surname

Second or middle names more common in USSecond or middle names more common in US Women typically take husband’s family name upon marriageWomen typically take husband’s family name upon marriage

Some women drop maiden family name and replace with husband’s Some women drop maiden family name and replace with husband’s family namefamily name

Some women drop second name, and use the maiden name as the Some women drop second name, and use the maiden name as the second name ( Hilary Rodham Clinton) second name ( Hilary Rodham Clinton)

Some women choose to keep their maiden name or hyphenate the Some women choose to keep their maiden name or hyphenate the maiden and married surnamesmaiden and married surnames

In Eastern Europe and Russia:In Eastern Europe and Russia: Women take husband’s surname, however it carries a feminine endingWomen take husband’s surname, however it carries a feminine ending

• Example: Trotsky becomes Trotskya, Davidov becomes DavidovaExample: Trotsky becomes Trotskya, Davidov becomes Davidova Names ending in –ski or –owicz are typically PolishNames ending in –ski or –owicz are typically Polish Names ending in –sky are Russian, Ukrainian, Czech or SlovakNames ending in –sky are Russian, Ukrainian, Czech or Slovak

Hispanic Naming Hispanic Naming Susan Elizabeth Jones BrownSusan Elizabeth Jones Brown Given name second name father’s family name mother’s family nameGiven name second name father’s family name mother’s family name

Hispanic names consist of both the paternal and maternal Hispanic names consist of both the paternal and maternal family namesfamily names

If you wanted to Americanize the name it would be If you wanted to Americanize the name it would be Susan Elizabeth JonesSusan Elizabeth Jones

What may appear as a given name and a second name, What may appear as a given name and a second name, may actually be the given name. Example: Luis Miguel, may actually be the given name. Example: Luis Miguel, Juan Carlos, Luz Maria Juan Carlos, Luz Maria

Nicknames are very common in Mexican culture. Some Nicknames are very common in Mexican culture. Some people are known to others only by their nicknames. people are known to others only by their nicknames.

Hispanic Naming (cont’d)Hispanic Naming (cont’d) Susan Elizabeth Jones BrownSusan Elizabeth Jones Brown Given name second name father’s family name mother’s family nameGiven name second name father’s family name mother’s family name

Women traditionally retain their names after marriage. In Women traditionally retain their names after marriage. In some areas the women might add her husband’s family some areas the women might add her husband’s family name to her own. There are regional variations name to her own. There are regional variations Example: Susan marries Juan Garcia Chavez. She Example: Susan marries Juan Garcia Chavez. She

may change her name to: may change her name to: • Susan Elizabeth Jones Brown de Garcia Susan Elizabeth Jones Brown de Garcia • Susan Elizabeth Jones de GarciaSusan Elizabeth Jones de Garcia• Susan Elizabeth Jones Sra. de GarciaSusan Elizabeth Jones Sra. de Garcia

Children’s names will differ from both the parents. Children’s names will differ from both the parents. Susan Susan JonesJones Brown and Juan Brown and Juan GarciaGarcia Chavez’s children might be Chavez’s children might be

named:named:• Jose Garcia JonesJose Garcia Jones• Marcia Garcia JonesMarcia Garcia Jones

Brazil & Portugal Naming Brazil & Portugal Naming Susan Elizabeth Brown de JonesSusan Elizabeth Brown de Jones Given name second name mother’s family name father’s family nameGiven name second name mother’s family name father’s family name

Like Hispanic names, consists of both the Like Hispanic names, consists of both the paternal and maternal family names, paternal and maternal family names, however in a different orderhowever in a different order

A preposition of: de, del or de la is common A preposition of: de, del or de la is common prior to the father’s family nameprior to the father’s family name

If you wanted to Americanize the name it If you wanted to Americanize the name it would be would be Susan Elizabeth JonesSusan Elizabeth Jones

Filipino NamingFilipino Naming

Susan Brown JonesSusan Brown Jones Given name mother’s family name father’s family nameGiven name mother’s family name father’s family name

Hispanic influence in many names, but Hispanic influence in many names, but do notdo not follow Hispanic follow Hispanic naming conventions naming conventions

Second name is mother’s family name Second name is mother’s family name When a woman marries, father’s family name becomes middle When a woman marries, father’s family name becomes middle

name and husband’s family’s name becomes last name name and husband’s family’s name becomes last name Susan Brown Jones marries Joe Smith. She drops the Brown and Susan Brown Jones marries Joe Smith. She drops the Brown and

becomes Susan Jones Smithbecomes Susan Jones Smith

East Asian Naming East Asian Naming

In many east Asian cultures the family name or In many east Asian cultures the family name or surname is first in the naming order surname is first in the naming order JapanJapan ChinaChina KoreaKorea VietnamVietnam LaosLaos HmongHmong CambodiaCambodia

Vietnamese NamingVietnamese Naming

Jones Elizabeth SusanJones Elizabeth Susan surname second name given namesurname second name given name

Vietnamese names are written in an order opposite of western Vietnamese names are written in an order opposite of western namesnames

There are reportedly no more than 300 family names with the most There are reportedly no more than 300 family names with the most common being Nguyen (pronounced similar to “win”). Other family common being Nguyen (pronounced similar to “win”). Other family names include: Tran, Le, Vu, Vo, Huynh, Pham, Ngo, Troung, Doan, names include: Tran, Le, Vu, Vo, Huynh, Pham, Ngo, Troung, Doan, Trinh, Dang, Bui, LamTrinh, Dang, Bui, Lam

Many Vietnamese names are related to Chinese clans or family Many Vietnamese names are related to Chinese clans or family namesnames

The second name identifies the gender of an individual. The second The second name identifies the gender of an individual. The second name may remain the same for all male members of the family name may remain the same for all male members of the family

Common middle names for men are Van, Huu, Duc, Dinh, Xuan, Common middle names for men are Van, Huu, Duc, Dinh, Xuan, Ngoc, Quang, CongNgoc, Quang, Cong

Women retain their names after marriage Women retain their names after marriage

Chinese Naming Chinese Naming Jones SusanJones Susan surname given namesurname given name

The order is “reversed” with surname first then the given nameThe order is “reversed” with surname first then the given name Li, Wang, and Zhang are the most common Chinese family names. Li, Wang, and Zhang are the most common Chinese family names.

Most family names are only one syllable longMost family names are only one syllable long A family’s hopes are often reflected in a child’s given name. Zhifu A family’s hopes are often reflected in a child’s given name. Zhifu

(getting rich), Xinghau (rejuvenate China) (getting rich), Xinghau (rejuvenate China) Men’s names typically imply honor to ancestry, militaristic bearing or Men’s names typically imply honor to ancestry, militaristic bearing or

virility, such as Gang (steel) Jinsong (sturdy pine), Ren Youcheng virility, such as Gang (steel) Jinsong (sturdy pine), Ren Youcheng (accomplishment)(accomplishment)

Women’s names include words related to beauty, jewelry, flowers or Women’s names include words related to beauty, jewelry, flowers or birds, such as Hua (flower), Yan (beautiful), Mei (enchanting)birds, such as Hua (flower), Yan (beautiful), Mei (enchanting)

Women retain their names after marriageWomen retain their names after marriage

Korean NamingKorean Naming Park Susan-ElizabethPark Susan-Elizabeth surname given namesurname given name

Korean names consist of a surname followed by a given Korean names consist of a surname followed by a given name. name.

Only about 250 Korean family names are in use. Almost 50% Only about 250 Korean family names are in use. Almost 50% of Koreans have the family name of Kim, Park or Lee of Koreans have the family name of Kim, Park or Lee Lee and Yi are the same name in written KoreanLee and Yi are the same name in written Korean

The surname is usually one syllable and the given name is The surname is usually one syllable and the given name is usually a two-part hyphenated nameusually a two-part hyphenated name

Koreans have no middle names. You may see two names Koreans have no middle names. You may see two names written together or hyphenated and these represent the given written together or hyphenated and these represent the given name name

Women keep their names following marriageWomen keep their names following marriage

Japanese NamingJapanese Naming

Jones SusanJones Susan surname given namesurname given name

In Japanese names, the surname is first and then the given name. In Japanese names, the surname is first and then the given name. There are no middle namesThere are no middle names

Most names are written in Kanji with a variety of possible Most names are written in Kanji with a variety of possible pronunciationspronunciations

Suzuki, Takahashi and KatSuzuki, Takahashi and Katōō are common surnames. There are as are common surnames. There are as many as 100,000 surnames in use in Japan and their usage varies many as 100,000 surnames in use in Japan and their usage varies by region. The Japanese government regulates names written in by region. The Japanese government regulates names written in Kanji. Only Kanji which appear on the government list (about 2,230) Kanji. Only Kanji which appear on the government list (about 2,230) may be used in given namesmay be used in given names

The Japanese usually address someone by his or her surname The Japanese usually address someone by his or her surname followed by “–san” or often refer to someone by his or her title rather followed by “–san” or often refer to someone by his or her title rather than name (sensei, sacho, etc.)than name (sensei, sacho, etc.)

Male given names often end in –ro (son) or –ta (great) or –ichi (first)Male given names often end in –ro (son) or –ta (great) or –ichi (first) Female given names often end in –ko (child) or –mi (beauty)Female given names often end in –ko (child) or –mi (beauty) Women Women do do adopt the husband’s surname after marriageadopt the husband’s surname after marriage

India NamingIndia Naming

Indian names are based on a variety of Indian names are based on a variety of systems and naming conventions, which systems and naming conventions, which vary greatly region by region vary greatly region by region

Names are influenced by religion, caste Names are influenced by religion, caste and occupation as well as other cultural and occupation as well as other cultural influencesinfluences BritishBritish PortuguesePortuguese

Caste names include: Nair, Reddy, Patel, Caste names include: Nair, Reddy, Patel, GandhiGandhi

India Naming – Religious Influence India Naming – Religious Influence

Sikh names often use Singh as the surname or Sikh names often use Singh as the surname or as a suffix to the surname; however, Singh is a as a suffix to the surname; however, Singh is a clan name and, therefore, not used exclusively clan name and, therefore, not used exclusively by Sikhsby Sikhs

Jains often use the surname of Jain. Like Singh Jains often use the surname of Jain. Like Singh this is a surname used by other Indians as wellthis is a surname used by other Indians as well

Most Hindu names consist of a given name, Most Hindu names consist of a given name, possibly a second name, and a family based possibly a second name, and a family based surname. The second name may be the father’s surname. The second name may be the father’s given namegiven name

Indians of the Christian faith follow British Indians of the Christian faith follow British naming conventions naming conventions

Indians of the Moslem faith follow conventions Indians of the Moslem faith follow conventions similar to Arabic naming conventionssimilar to Arabic naming conventions

Southern India Naming Southern India Naming Chicago Chicago Robert ____ Paul Robert ____ Paul Region or village father’s given name given name Region or village father’s given name given name

In the southern states of India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil In the southern states of India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala), naming conventions are Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala), naming conventions are not consistent and vary considerably by regionnot consistent and vary considerably by region

Typically there is no “family” nameTypically there is no “family” name The names are often abbreviated, with the exception of The names are often abbreviated, with the exception of

the given namethe given name Example: C. R. PaulExample: C. R. Paul

Women take the husband’s given name after marriage, Women take the husband’s given name after marriage, and it replaces the father’s given nameand it replaces the father’s given name

Women use initials also. However, before marriage they Women use initials also. However, before marriage they use the father’s initials with her given name. After use the father’s initials with her given name. After marriage she uses her husband’s initials with her given marriage she uses her husband’s initials with her given namename

Arabic NamingArabic Naming Susan JonesSusan Jones Given name SurnameGiven name Surname Naming conventions vary region by region and by religion (Moslem, Naming conventions vary region by region and by religion (Moslem,

Jewish, Christian)Jewish, Christian) The use of honorific, patronymic, and tribal names is common The use of honorific, patronymic, and tribal names is common

Abu Karim Muhammad al-Jamil ibn Nidal ibn Abdulaziz al-FilastiniAbu Karim Muhammad al-Jamil ibn Nidal ibn Abdulaziz al-Filastini Father of Karim, Muhammed, the beautiful, son of Nidal, son of Father of Karim, Muhammed, the beautiful, son of Nidal, son of

Abdulaziz, the Palestinian. Abdulaziz, the Palestinian. The use of titles is common– al Haji The use of titles is common– al Haji ““Al” or “El”, a common prefix to family names, may be used in the Al” or “El”, a common prefix to family names, may be used in the

name or may be droppedname or may be dropped Masculine given names are often feminized by adding an –a endingMasculine given names are often feminized by adding an –a ending

Sohail becomes SohailaSohail becomes Sohaila Arabs often adopt Western conventions when traveling or living in Arabs often adopt Western conventions when traveling or living in

Western countries. Constructing a first name/surname model from Western countries. Constructing a first name/surname model from their full Arab name. their full Arab name.

Farsi, Dari and other languages share Arabic script but are not Arab Farsi, Dari and other languages share Arabic script but are not Arab languages. Naming conventions are different then Arabic. languages. Naming conventions are different then Arabic.

African NamingAfrican Naming

Naming practices vary greatly based on religion, tribal or Naming practices vary greatly based on religion, tribal or ethnic group, and regionethnic group, and region

Christian and Moslem naming practices can be seenChristian and Moslem naming practices can be seen Children may have a tribal name and a Christian nameChildren may have a tribal name and a Christian name

Names for children may include the day they were born, Names for children may include the day they were born, especially if it was a holiday or celebration dayespecially if it was a holiday or celebration day

Children are often named after relatives, tribal elders, Children are often named after relatives, tribal elders, legendary gods or respected persons. Children may legendary gods or respected persons. Children may also be named after aspirations or values such as “Joy” also be named after aspirations or values such as “Joy” or “Justice”. or “Justice”.

African Naming (cont’d)African Naming (cont’d) In Ghana, the surname is not the same for all persons in a family. In Ghana, the surname is not the same for all persons in a family.

Each child may have a different surname. Each child may have a different surname. For Akan speakers in Ghana, a naming ceremony is held seven For Akan speakers in Ghana, a naming ceremony is held seven

days after birth. The father chooses the name of a respected days after birth. The father chooses the name of a respected relative for the child. relative for the child.

In Nigeria, in the Yoruba community, babies are given a name which In Nigeria, in the Yoruba community, babies are given a name which describes the day of their birth, “born in the rainy time”. Later the describes the day of their birth, “born in the rainy time”. Later the child is give a praise name which expresses hopes for their future. child is give a praise name which expresses hopes for their future. Dunsimi means “don’t die before me”. Titilayo means “eternal Dunsimi means “don’t die before me”. Titilayo means “eternal happiness”. happiness”.

The Urhobo community in Nigeria, believe that a child lives up to the The Urhobo community in Nigeria, believe that a child lives up to the the meaning of their name. Many names therefore have a spiritual the meaning of their name. Many names therefore have a spiritual or religious significance. Eseoghene or Ese means “God’s gift”. or religious significance. Eseoghene or Ese means “God’s gift”. Efemini of Efe means “Let’s see how wealthy you can be.” Typically Efemini of Efe means “Let’s see how wealthy you can be.” Typically grandparents receive the honor of naming the new child. grandparents receive the honor of naming the new child.

In Kenya, to Swahili speakers, the babies first or birth name refers In Kenya, to Swahili speakers, the babies first or birth name refers to the child’s appearance. Later, up to 40 days after the birth, a to the child’s appearance. Later, up to 40 days after the birth, a name is chosen for the child by his parents and paternal name is chosen for the child by his parents and paternal grandparents. grandparents.

Welcome to the US!Welcome to the US!

Names are often misspelled or Names are often misspelled or mispronouncedmispronounced

The accent marks, tilde, or umlauts are The accent marks, tilde, or umlauts are often lostoften lost

The order of one’s name may be reversedThe order of one’s name may be reversed Many change the order of their names to Many change the order of their names to

conform with American naming conform with American naming conventionsconventions

Many adopt American nicknamesMany adopt American nicknames

For more informationFor more information

This presentation was constructed as an This presentation was constructed as an introduction to naming conventions or introduction to naming conventions or practicespractices

You can find much more detailed You can find much more detailed information regarding these various information regarding these various practicespractices

Comments & Questions?Comments & Questions?