Comments for Jenny Zhu

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Henning

Henning — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:46:45 +0000

Why not?
I like it. If you think about it - your name is the choice of your parents, made at a time way before developing your personality . And what is the point of selecting a name from a given list of names anyway - names that actually did mean something. 1000 years ago.

I especially like “Coffee”, although I would prefer “Espresso”.

However, if I had a daughter I would definately not allow her to name herself “Kinky”. Such a name might backfire.

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Jenny Zhu

Jenny Zhu — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:11:44 +0000

Well said. I am along the same line with you, although my English name has no link to my Chinese name.

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Jenny Zhu

Jenny Zhu — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:10:33 +0000

I personally think one-character given names are more contemporary and edgier. But sometimes, it seems a bit odd to me especially when the character has no link to the person’s English name if that makes sense. But again, my English name has no link to my Chinese name at all.

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Jenny Zhu

Jenny Zhu — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:07:22 +0000

‘Kermit’, cute.

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Jenny Zhu

Jenny Zhu — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:06:58 +0000

Yes, sometimes it does come down to being practical. The reason I have an English name is mostly that my Chinese name is quite unpronounceable to many foreigners. After being called ‘zuu ki’, I thought ‘Jenny’ would be better.

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Xiao Liang

Xiao Liang — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:46:06 +0000

It’s not so much weird names, but particularly chinese girls seems to really enjoy choosing English old lady names! For example:

Dorothy, Lily, Vera, Connie, Gloria, Grace, Peggy… that’s just some from the chinesepod teachers. All very classic old lady names. Vera is my grandmother’s name! Always makes me giggle

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Joe

Joe — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:44:05 +0000

Indeed it’s pretty strange what funny Western names many Chinese have or use. One can only fear that they have been betrayed by bad friends being asked about the proper names. Dealing every day with Chinese people in business I came up with Ocean, Smile, England. etc.
In earlier years I can understand that there might have been a certain need to have Western people being able to spell and memorize their names better than the Chinese, but nowadays I don’t think it would still be necessary.
On the other hand, when learning Chinese, my teacher also gave me a Chinese name: 周. No wonder, it’s Joe as well…

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Steve C

Steve C — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:57:57 +0000

Currently, I have students named Elite, Dolphin, and Enjoy. When I first came to Taiwan I thought these unusual English names were strange, but now I like their uniqueness.

I asked some Taiwanese friends to help me choose my Chinese name (required by my employer, and necessary to register my scooter, etc.). I told them I didn’t want a typical “foreigner sounding” transliterated name, but I still wanted it to sound somewhat like my English name. I’m pleased with the result (孔書文), and the Taiwanese seem to find it a pleasant name.

Comment on What’s Wrong with Chinese Men? by Iain

Iain — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:04:22 +0000

Have the men actually got worse, or have they simply failed to improve their position while the women have got better?

I see plenty of big guys in Shanghai (especially those under 35-ish) and, statistically, China should have plenty of physically large men. I don’t think this argument holds up.

I think it’s more likely that, because of pressure on getting an education, earning & career progress, Chinese men don’t put the same amount time into sport at a young age that men in other countries do.

Comment on Why Chinese Like Weird English Names by Big Liu

Big Liu — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:19:56 +0000

I’ve heard of “Herbie” and “Coffee” as English names chosen by Chinese businessmen. Crazy!