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Help[Opinions] Thoughts on foreign FN with local LN?
I’ve been thinking recently that you’ll see a lot more often a foreign family name with a local given name (e.g. Claire Zhang or Jack Ahmad in the USA) for fairly self-explanatory reasons, but—especially in the modern day—surely there must be the opposite (e.g. something like Ayele Johnson or Yeonhwa Smith in the USA)?
But I’m not certain I’ve ever really seen it, usually just both local, both foreign, or local FN with foreign LN.
(And of course this is my understanding as an American, but I believe similar is true in other places, which is why I chose generic terms like ‘foreign’ and ‘local’, if that makes sense.)
Anyway, I don’t really have anywhere I’m going with this, mostly curious if anyone had any thoughts on the subject :)
(Sorry if this isn’t the right board, as well)
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Aspiring writer—I like odd names too much (◡‿◡✿)
But I’m not certain I’ve ever really seen it, usually just both local, both foreign, or local FN with foreign LN.
(And of course this is my understanding as an American, but I believe similar is true in other places, which is why I chose generic terms like ‘foreign’ and ‘local’, if that makes sense.)
Anyway, I don’t really have anywhere I’m going with this, mostly curious if anyone had any thoughts on the subject :)
(Sorry if this isn’t the right board, as well)
______________________________________________
Aspiring writer—I like odd names too much (◡‿◡✿)
Replies
In the US, at least, what even counts as a "local" name? We have such a huge diversity of ethnicities and backgrounds, and a big proportion of that diverse population has been here for generations.
That’s definitely true! Names like Esteban or Greta I think would be considered pretty ‘normal’ despite being foreign, but most Americans would be unfamiliar with names like Qingfei or Mawuli and would at least not be considered ‘local’ (if nothing else more ‘othering’). Though you’re right about ‘local’ and ‘foreign’ not being perfect categories here, since it really has to do with familiarity. For example, native american names aren’t treated the same as ‘local’ names like Zack or Lily despite being more ‘local’ than they are.
It’s complicated I suppose haha
It’s complicated I suppose haha
I have seen quite a few names that have that "foreign first name, local last name" pattern. Stuff like Tamiko Johnson, or Maame-Ekua Williams. But I do know what you mean, I remember growing up with a lot more people with the "local first name, ethnic surname" pattern. I think things are changing.
For past generations it was considered "better" for people to assimilate to Western culture, so they chose Western first names for their children. Only recently has the tide been turning, and now people are choosing more "ethnic" names. Mixed background relationships are probably much more common nowadays too.
I love the idea of people named things like Ayele Johnson and Yeonhwa Smith.
For past generations it was considered "better" for people to assimilate to Western culture, so they chose Western first names for their children. Only recently has the tide been turning, and now people are choosing more "ethnic" names. Mixed background relationships are probably much more common nowadays too.
I love the idea of people named things like Ayele Johnson and Yeonhwa Smith.
Oh that’s very cool! I’m glad to see that that’s starting to change more, since I’ve heard people judge mixed background names a lot, calling them “too weird” or “yooneek”—I love to see more diversity and acceptance in that way :D