think about how the name sounds

and make sure it goes well with your Chinese family name.

A name that sounds funny may cause problems.

It might not only embarrass you but also make communication difficult.

For example,

Mark Jiang sounds like “Mahjong,”

a table game in Chinese.

Leon Chang sounds like “you are dirty” in Chinese.

Names like these could certainly make you feel uncomfortable.

What’s worse,

certain names may lead to misunderstanding.

The following joke shows how such names can make clear communication difficult.

(A Chinese woman at the counter in a Chinatown restaurant)

Clerk: Good evening, ma’am. May I have your name, please?

Lady: Yes, Eve Ning.

Clerk: Evening, and your name is

Lady: Eve Ning, sir.

Clerk: Sorry, ma’am. There’s a long line of people waiting right behind you. Don’t be funny. please.

Lady: No, I’m not Fang Ning. That’s my sister.

Clerk: Gee, are you joking?

Lady: Sir, that’s my husband. He’s Joe King, not me. You’re rude. What’s your name?

Clerk: Noel Wei! Are you satisfied’? Now tell me your name!

Lady: No way! I want to see your boss!

It seems hard for the clerk and the lady to really communicate.

So the next time you’re picking an English name for yourself,

remember to say it out loud

and make sure that when you pronounce your English first name

together with your Chinese last name,

it won’t sound like a different English word—

like Eve Ning, which sounds like “evening.”