Tips for choosing English names. Tips on English names.
The general structure of English names is: given name, self-chosen name, surname. Such as William Jafferson Clinton. But in many cases, the middle name is often omitted, such as George Bush, and many people prefer to use nicknames instead of formal given names, such as Bill Clinton. The above Christian name and middle name are also called personal names. The personal names, nicknames and surnames of English-speaking people are now introduced as follows:
I. Personal names
According to the custom of English-speaking people, when a baby is baptized, it is usually given by a priest or parents Relatives and friends give him a name, which is called his Christian name. In the future, I can use a second name after my given name. The sources of English personal names are generally as follows:
1. Use names from the Bible, Greek and Roman mythology, ancient celebrities or literary masterpieces as Christian names.
2. Use the ancestor’s place of origin, mountains and rivers, birds, animals, fish and insects, flowers and trees as the Christian name.
3. Different variants of the given name.
4. Use a (nickname) nickname.
5. Use word-formation techniques to create new Christian names, such as reverse order and merger.
6. Use your mother’s maiden name as your middle name.
Commonly used male names among English-speaking people are: James, John, David, Daniel, and Michael. Common female names are: Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, Sarah, and Catherine.
II. Nicknames
Nicknames include nicknames, abbreviations and nicknames, which are often used to express affection among relatives and friends of English-speaking people. They are derived from the Christian name. Usually the following situations occur:
1. Keep the first syllable. For example, Donald =gt; Don, Timothy =gt; Tim. If the real name starts with a vowel, a nickname starting with 'N' can be derived, such as: Edward =gt; Ned.
2. ie Or -y such as: Don =gt; Donnie, Tim =gt; Timmy.
3. Use the final syllable, such as: Anthony =gt; Tony, Beuben =gt; Ben.
4. Two nicknames are derived from one given name, such as: Andrew =gt; Andy amp; Drew.
5. Irregular derivation method, such as: one of William's nicknames is Bill.
III. Surname
For a long time, the British only had a first name but no surname. It was not until the 16th century that the use of surnames became widespread. The etymology of English surnames mainly includes:
1. Directly borrowing the Christian name, such as Clinton.
2. Adding an affix to the Christian name indicating blood relationship, such as the suffix -s , -son, -ing; the prefixes M'-, Mc-, Mac-, Fitz-, etc. all indicate the son or descendant of someone.
3. Add an affix indicating identity before the Christian name, such as St.-, De-, Du=, La-, Le-.
4. Show place names, landforms or environment Characteristics, such as Brook, Hill, etc.
5. Reflecting identity or occupation, such as: Carter, Smith.
6. Reflecting personal characteristics, such as: Black, Longfellow.
7. Borrowing animal and plant names, such as Bird, Rice.
8. Derived from the merger of double surnames, such as Burne-Jones.
Although English surnames appeared later than Christian names, their number is Much more. Commonly used ones are: Smith, Miller, Johnson, Brown, Jones, Williams.
IV. Some explanations
1. The earlier teachings originating from the Bible and Greek and Roman mythology First names are usually not used as surnames.
2. British people are accustomed to abbreviating both the given name and the middle name, such as M. H. Thatcher; Americans are accustomed to abbreviating only the middle name, such as Ronald W. Reagan.
3. Sometimes there is an interpersonal title before the name, such as job rank and so on. Dr., Prof., Pres. can be used before the surname or the given name; Sir can only be used before the given name or the given name.
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With the deepening of globalization, English names are becoming more and more important to everyone, especially young people. However, many people do not know how to choose an English name and often choose it randomly, which results in many problems.
Problem 1. The English names given are too common
The first problem is that the English names given are too common, such as: Henry, Jane, John, Mary. This is like foreigners Naming him like Zhao Zhiwei, Wang Xiaogang, or Chen Xiaoping gives people the feeling of being far-fetched. Although there are no certain rules for choosing a name, the feeling you give is very important.
Problem 2. Misunderstanding of cultural differences and making taboos
In addition, due to cultural differences, some names have extended meanings, such as: Cat, Kitty. In English slang, they refer to It's the female vagina (Pussy). Cat should be changed to Cathy, and Kitty should be changed to Kate.
Question 3. Changing both name and surname
Generally speaking, people from non-English speaking countries may change their names when they arrive in the United States, but they do not change their surnames. This is related to family honor, and in the future it will also be related to genetics. So no matter how difficult your last name is to pronounce, stick to it. It is common for people to change their surnames when giving English names, such as Situ Jian, Ken Stone, and Xiao Yan, Yan Shaw. The following English surnames are acceptable, but it is best not to use them, such as: Young Yang, Lee Li.
Question 4. English names and surnames are homophonic.
Some people are called by their surnames a lot, so they choose English names that are homophonic to their surnames. But such an English name alone is called Shang Ke, and the full name is unnatural, such as: Shawn Xiao, Jone Zhong, Joe Zhou, and Anne An.
Problem 5. Using the wrong part of speech because you don’t understand grammar
Names are generally nouns, not adjectives. Some people don't understand this rule and use adjectives to name them, such as Lucky, which is actually not an English name.
Question 6. Wrong gender
Occasionally, people use the wrong gender, such as a woman named Andy or Daniel.