What is the impact of mispronouncing a name?

Our names carry our family history, culture, and identities, and research shows that mispronouncing, not learning, or changing a student’s name can contribute to a student’s low sense of self-worth and feeling like they don’t belong.

What to say if you can’t pronounce someone’s name?

A good rule of thumb is to say, “I’m sorry I mispronounced that. Could you please repeat your name for me?” If you’ve known someone for a while, perhaps even a number of years, and you realize you’ve been mispronouncing their name, operate with humility.

Why do some people have a problem with their names?

“People who particularly dislike their name and also if other people think it’s an odd and unlikeable name, that can cause some problems. [They] tend not to be as well-adjusted.”

Why do people mispronounce names that are not in the English language?

It’s not non-English (it is in fact so extremely English that Americans especially have a hard time with it). When people see it written, they mispronounce it because quite honestly most people don’t read more than the first couple letters before slotting it into the slot for a name they already know.

Is it common to name your child after a famous person?

It is not very common to name children after historical, political or sports celebrities nowadays. However, there are a few older Juan Domingos and Evas (after the Peróns) or Diegos (after Diego Maradona). Most people have a first and middle name, not more than that.

Do unusual baby names make a difference later in life?

When it’s time to pick baby’s name, there are two types of parents, those who want an unusual baby name and those who prefer a more common name donned by lots of kids. Turns out, even if the particular name chosen doesn’t make a difference in a child’s success later in life, whether or not that name is common or unusual does matter.