What's in a name?

Comment on "Weird names leave teachers scratching their heads" (China Daily, Sept 29)

The article on the importance of choosing an auspicious name for a child reminded me of the wide, sometimes bizarre, choice of English names, often selected by a young person himself or herself.

In Asia, many youths choose English names for themselves, not all of which are as thoughtfully selected as might be wished. For example, I have come across Hitler, Fart, Windows (because he wore glasses), Face, Inner (a girl whose brother was presumably called Outer) and many more weirder variants.

It is good to have a special nickname. But when that nickname is absurd enough to make people laugh, its bearer often ends up regretting a youthful but thoughtless choice.

Paul Surtees,via e-mail

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(China Daily 11/20/2012 page9)