Episode 31 - Western Names

ESL in Ho Chi Minh City

Coming to you from the heart of Vietnam, This is Mr. Richard's ESL in Ho Chi Minh City. Welcome one and welcome all, I am your host, Mr Richard. Thanks for tuning in, this is the 31st epidsode of ESL in Ho Chi Minh City: Western Names. We will review vocabulary and go over some of the finer points of names. If you'd like a transcript of this episode, you can find it at ESLHCMC.podomatic.com. If you are looking for more information, exercises and intermediate or advanced lessons; please contact either myself or Theresa Truong at [e-mail] We have many extra lessons for privileged members, and ask about our online lessons through Skype or in person lessons if you are in HCMCity. Okay, now onto our vocabulary lesson. So what exactly is a name? Let's find out, your vocabulary lesson starts now- Name = a word or set of words in which a person, place or thing is referred to full name = a person's complete name, such as Barack Hussein Obama Jr legal name = a person or company's complete name, such as The Coca-Cola Company proper name = a person, place or thing's complete name using capital letters, such as District of Columbia surname = the inherited name shared by family members, such as Jackson or Nguyen family name = another term for surname last name = Western term for surname, usually the last name of a full name; such as Beckham given name = personal name given at birth, such as Michael or David first name = Western term for given name, usually the first name of a full name; such as James Christian name = another Western term for given name; especially if the name can be found in the Bible or is influenced by a Saint; such as Theresa or Adam christened name = another term for a Christian name, especially if given at the time of Baptism middle name = the name between the given name and the surname; such as Hussein for Barack Hussein Obama nickname = a shortened, friendly or funny form of a name, such as Mike for Michael or Davey for David. Also, a descriptive or unique name given to a person, place or thing used with or instead of its name; such as Honest Abe for Abraham Lincoln or Sin City for Las Vegas. pet name = a familiar name, such as Jimmy for James or a private name such as “honey” for a significant other moniker = another term for nickname namesake = one who shares a same name and connection with another, such as a Jr or Sr sharing a name as well as Ford Motor Company and its founder, Henry Ford. Anonymous = not named, not known or not identified pseudonym = fake or fictitious name, especially used by an author; such as Mark Twain for Samuel Clemens pen name = pseudonym used by an author aka = abbreviation for also known as alias = pseudonym or nickname that a person is known as stage name = pseudonym used by an actor; such as Marilyn Monroe for Norma Jeane Baker nom de guerre = pseudonym used by a participant in an activity, especially violent activities; such as Desert Fox for Erwin Rommel brand name = a name given to or in addition to a product, and is usually trademarked; such as Jacuzzi or Nike sneakers misnomer = a wrong or inaccurate name, such as jellyfish (not a fish); or replacement of a general term with a brand name, such as Xerox for photocopy or Jacuzzi for hot tub Screen name = alias used online; or a pseudonym used by movie actors So, how are names chosen? There are many answers to that question, and most of the answers can be found in the distant past. Many names are based on ancient words and meanings. Most given names are based on words or phrases of ancient languages. Surnames were often used to describe social class or occupation, hometowns or areas of the home country and even physical features or color. For example, Barack is based on the word for “blessed” in Hebrew. Hussein can be translated as “handsome one” in Arabic. Obama is a common African name, possibly based on the word for tall or crooked. Many common surnames once described a families' occupation, such as Smith, Shepard and Baker. Washington, Hamilton and Lincoln are surnames that once described the area of England where the family started. Armstrong, Little and Brown are surnames that once described the appearance of the family members. Some Western surnames have prefixes. The prefixes Mc-, Mac-, and O'- mean “son of” or “child of” and can be found in such surnames as McDonald and O'Neil. Sometimes the last part of the surname is the word “son”, such as Jackson and Jefferson. So both McDonald and Donaldson mean “son of Donald”. Western names can also have suffixes. Some suffixes are added after the surname when a full name is shared by two family members, generally a father and a son. For example, Barack Hussein Obama's son is also named Barack Hussein Obama. The older Obama took the suffix Senior, abbreviated as Sr. The younger Obama, and future American President, was given the suffix Junior, abbreviated as Jr. If more than two family members share the same full name, then Roman numerals are used as a suffix. The oldest family member would be given the Roman numeral I, said aloud as “the first”. The next oldest family member would be given II, then the next oldest III, and so on for every family member that shared the name. This was very common the in royal families of Europe, so much so that the suffixes are more commonly known than the surnames. Queen Elizabeth II and King Louis XVI are examples of this. Both surnames and given names can also be based on words or phrases. Grant is based on the word great or grand; and Richard and Eric, are both based on old words for “powerful”. In modern times, it is common for nicknames, rather than given names, to be used in informal and friendly situations. These nicknames are generally a shortened version of the given name, such as Dave for David, Rich for Richard, Jon for Jonathon, Kate for Katherine, Jen for Jennifer, Tom for Thomas, Mike for Michael and Ben for Benjamin. Parents also commonly call their children by nicknames. Many of these nicknames sound “cuter” than the given name, such as Jenny for Jennifer, Tommy for Thomas and Stevie for Steven. Adding the sound E, spelled with a “y” or “ie”, is the most common way of making a name sound “cuter”. But unless they prefer it, it is impolite to use these childhood nicknames when a person becomes older. It can be seen as an act of disrespect to do so without their permission. In some cases, a nickname is preferred over the given name, even in formal situations. For example, a young Barack Obama was known as Barry to his colleagues and William Clinton is still commonly known as Bill Clinton. There are no rules in creating a nickname. Somehow Bill became a nickname for William, Bob became a nickname for Robert and Teddy became a nickname for Theodore. There's even a common nickname for Richard that makes me laugh because it is normally inappropriate to say. There are also no rules for when to use nicknames. It becomes a personal preference. Some people like to be called their nickname, even by strangers; while other people prefer their nicknames to be used only by their closest friends. If there is any doubt, play it safe and use the given name. So what name do you prefer to be called? Did your parents call you by a nickname when you were growing up that they no longer use? Do you have a unique nickname that is not based on your name? Would you like to know the possible origin of name? Write us at [e-mail] to let us know. Our next podcast will be about idioms and expressions using the word name, and I will answer any questions that you send to us.