Why do Chinese adopt English names?

Chinese people began to give themselves English names after the Reform and Opening Up in the late 1970s, when they were exposed increasingly to western cultures. For many, English names are informal haos that represent another layer of identity.

Why do the Chinese use their surnames in front of their given names?

The first part is the generation name that is shared by all members of a generation, and the last character is given to the individual person. The reason Chinese people write their surname first is to show respect to the ancestors.

Why do many Chinese people choose English names for themselves?

Many Chinese people choose English names for themselves so that westerners (more specifically English speaking westerners) have an easier time pronouncing their names. Because if we write our real name, like 王明，赵红。 。 。 you will not be able to read it, AT ALL.

Are Chinese people adopting English names to gain Western approval?

Don’t assume that Chinese people are adopting English names to gain Western approval. This is especially important in the PRC, where — by some counts — there are approximately 300 million people learning English. The vast majority of people adopting English names for classroom use don’t interact with foreigners on a regular basis.

Why do Chinese students pronounce their Chinese names differently?

Most likely, they’re doing it because their teacher asked them to, or it helps them get into the right mindset for English class, or because their classmates will laugh at how the foreign 25-year-old teaching them mispronounces their Chinese name. Or, for fun.

What does it mean to change your name?

Whether a nom de plume, nom de guerre, or stage name, changing your name is an outward indication of your changed (or changing) identity. I have taught English to native and non-native speaking students of all ages for the past 16 years, and 98 percent of my Chinese students have taken an “English name.”