Acsenray: Ultimately, i’m doing it for myself, because it’s fun. I think keeping the meaning behind the words and bringing that meaning to the forefront is enough.
When I say “americanize”, it is because I am becoming an american and I want americans to understand it.
It’s tough, you gotta look at the different factors influencing my decision:
1- resemblance to my first name (my current first name starts with AL which can be made into its own first name and the remainder of my first name can be made into my last name. Something like Al Berto Lastname.
2- McMayhem is nice and all but it does sound a tad immature (a la McLovin’). Kaos still sounds pretty flippant but it’s greek, so it doesn’t count. (huh?)
3- Keep them names coming! I’m planning on sending the form within 24 hours.
Which is what ultimately we all do when making decisions about our names.
And that’s my point. There’s no such thing as an “American” name; thus, you can’t “Americanize” it.
These are factors influencing your decision to change your name or are they factors influencing your decision on what name to choose?
Greek names are no less American than English names.
In short, you want to Anglicize your name, because you have decided that American = English. And, apparently, because Americans understand only English names.
Wow, as an American, I feel a little insulted and as an American with a non-English name, I feel a little insulted.
Well, at Ellis Island many Europeans had their names, shortened or changed by imigration officials. I would call that ‘American-izing’ a name. To an American it still looks like a Polish name but the spelling was changed.
Then there are names that Americans, who are of Irish decent like to give their children. Names they, the Americans, think of as Irish names but in Ireland you would be hard pressed to find people named Erin or Shannon.
So I think you can ‘American-ize’ a name and you are right that names of many backgrouds, not just English, are American.
Hey, buddy, get yer funny speakin’ furriner arse back to canada or wherever the hell you came from. We drink bud light here and don’t take kindly to strangers who don’t take kindly to “Raiden McMayhem.”
Hahaha, I just told my parents about my name change, hoping for some helpful suggestions, and I just can’t believe how eager these people are to RENAME me again.
My mother was basically trying to strongarm me into carrying her maiden name at one point, and on another, she gave me the “why do you call asking for suggestions if you won’t take my advice?”. Thankfully, I was able to laugh and reminder she can change HER name anytime she wants and make it whatever SHE likes. She laughed and got the point. But it was really funny how engaged she had become in the process! It’s just a name…
And my dad was quite engaged too! You’d think they’d be satisfied with naming me the first time, why do they assume I have no will of my own?
My father is now actively planning a list of names to impose upon me and has threathened to call me within 2 hours and throw them at me.
Sigh, my mom didn’t like Kaos or Lawless but she liked Freeman.
Anyways, this ain’t over til it’s over, I’m still taking suggestions if you have them.
