When Chinese People Choose English Names and foreigners Choose Chinese Names — A Mutual Cultural Misunderstanding

📝 TL;DR Summary
A Chinese person picks the name Rainbow for themselves, while a foreigner chooses “雷霆” (Léitíng, “thunder”) as their Chinese name — both parties are momentarily surprised before breaking into laughter. This isn’t simply one side picking the wrong name; it’s a mutual movement toward each other of cultural misunderstandings. Each party is genuinely trying to give voice to the other culture using what sounds pleasing to their own ears. It’s like cooking for each other — everyone brings out their proudest dish, full of good intentions, though the taste often surprises the other person. Both kinds of effort hold equal value; they’re just different, with no hierarchy involved.

I. Two Dinners, One Gesture of Thoughtfulness

Imagine two dinners taking place at the same time.

Table A in Shanghai: It’s a business dinner with a foreign client in attendance. A Chinese woman raises her glass with a smile and introduces herself, “Hi, I’m Rainbow.” The man freezes for half a second—Rainbow? Rainbow? His native language instinct tells him this sounds more like a dessert shop sign than a name on a business card. Yet he notices her eyes shining as she says those two syllables.

Table B in Beijing: That same evening, there’s a friend gathering with an American guest present. He clears his throat and speaks earnestly, “My name is Lingtíng.” The group of Chinese friends falls silent for a moment—Lingtíng? Thunder and lightning?—before the whole table bursts into laughter. As they laugh, they raise their glasses to toast him with great enthusiasm.

These two dinners, these two names, share a perfectly symmetrical structure: one Chinese person chose an English word to make it easier for a foreign ear to understand, while another American chose two Chinese characters so that native speakers could remember them better. Both were acting out of sincerity, aiming to please the other party’s ears—and both succeeded in surprising them.

What we’re trying to say is: It’s not about one person picking the wrong name. It’s a mutual misunderstanding born from good intentions—and upon closer reflection, it’s actually quite heartwarming. This article uses a kitchen analogy to explain it: Giving names to each other is like cooking for one another.

II. Exploring the Core Analogy: Each Side Presents Its Own “Homestyle Dish”

Let’s start with cooking. When you invite a foreign friend over, you prepare your hometown’s most authentic dish—prepared exactly to your childhood standards, with just the right balance of salt and spice and perfect cooking time. After taking a bite, the guest might give a subtle reaction: it’s not that it tastes bad, but rather they are unexpecting it. This is because their palate has been shaped by a completely different set of flavors.

The same principle applies to naming. When each group creates a “name in the other language,” the true judge is actually one’s own ears—while the cultural framework of the other party operates under a different set of aesthetic standards.

Notice the symmetry in this table: on one side, Rainbow is considered the most beautiful word, while on the other, “雷霆” is seen as the coolest. Each group uses its own ears to select a “homestyle dish in the other language” and presents it on the other party’s dining table. In Chinese ears, Rainbow sounds bright and vivid; in Chinese ears, “雷霆” conveys great momentum and leaves a lasting impression. Yet the other party’s ears season things differently: English speakers may think fruits don’t sound like names, while Chinese speakers might feel that “石头” sounds more like a nickname.

Interestingly, this idea of “tasting with the other party’s ears” has long been reflected in China’s naming traditions. Name scholar Fang Lichen once shared a classic example: Golden Lion Tie sold poorly in Hong Kong because in Cantonese, “金狮” sounded like “净输”—meaning “pure loss.” The owner changed the brand name to “Golden Eagle,” and sales soared immediately. His conclusion was:

“When considering homophones in names, one must take into account not only Mandarin but also dialects and even certain related foreign languages.”
—— Fang Lichen, 正名道姓——中国起名学权威宝典, Civil Aviation Press of China, 2007

The same logic applies in reverse as well: Fang Lichen also cited clever translations used by foreign brands entering China—Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Sprite—all of which succeeded because they were reseasoned to suit Chinese ears.

See? This is a mutual effort: Chinese companies go global by adapting their brands with foreign names, while foreign brands enter China by adding Chinese elements to their names. Both sides are putting in effort—no one should mock the other. Both kitchens are equally dedicated; it’s just different cuisines, and neither is superior.

III. Returning to Chinese Names: Food Is Made for the Other Person’s Taste Buds

To fully grasp this analogy, it boils down to one simple idea: Your name is like a dish prepared for the cultural “dining table” of the people around you—it should be tasted with their palate, not yours.

For Chinese friends considering an English name: After selecting a candidate, have a native speaker say it aloud and observe their immediate reaction. While Rainbow might sound like a rainbow to you, it could refer to a dessert shop to them—trying it out first is never embarrassing.

The same principle applies to foreign friends choosing a Chinese name. Try pronouncing names like “雷霆” (Léitíng, “thunder”) or “Stone” in front of Chinese speakers and watch how they react—whether they smile or not. For more examples of awkward choices, read our article from section 8.3, which details five common pitfalls that apply whether you’re using a Chinese or an English name. Section 9.2 explores the spectrum between literal translation and free translation, helping you understand that there’s a whole range of possibilities between “Stone” and “Shi Mingyuan”—you can choose whichever direction fits best, as long as you know where you stand.

Remember: Changing just one character is like adding or removing a spoonful of salt from a dish—there’s no need to discard the original intent; a slight adjustment is all that’s required.

IV. Back to Reality: Heartwarming Moments in Kitchens

Once you understand the concept of “cooking for one another,” everyday scenarios become much clearer.

Scenario 1: An office where everyone goes by English names. In a foreign trade company, employees switch to English before answering international calls: “I’m Lily.” “This is Tom.” These names function like pre-prepared “mild versions” of dishes—designed specifically for foreign ears, easy to pronounce and remember, and gentle on the tongue. This approach has evolved over decades of cross-cultural collaboration in Chinese workplaces as a way to make guests feel welcome.

Scenario 2: One Chinese name that breaks the ice instantly in social settings. Mr. “Leiting” later realized that his name served as a universal key in Chinese social circles—every time he introduced himself, new friends would first smile, then ask questions, and share their own names like “Shitou” or “Pipai.” Within a minute, strangers turned into fellow food lovers. Names that make people laugh are often the ones that bring people closer together.

Scenario 3: Dishes from both sides becoming more palatable to each other. You’ll notice a slow yet delightful trend: Chinese youth’s English names are increasingly tailored to suit native-speaking ears, while foreigners’ Chinese names are also becoming more “ear-friendly”—with fewer literal translations and a greater emphasis on sound, shape, and meaning (yīn, xíng, yì). As cross-cultural competence grows, kitchens on both sides are learning from each other’s recipes.

💡 Cultural Tip: All the jokes in this article are perfectly balanced—the sweetness of “Rainbow” and the intensity of “Leiting” are both endearing; neither is “better” than the other. Traditional Chinese culture encourages people to use English names when speaking to foreign colleagues, while Western traditions encourage effort in mastering Chinese character names for Chinese friends—both traditions show equal generosity, willing to go out of their way to accommodate the other party’s preferences. This is simply “difference,” not superiority or inferiority.

V. Practical Tips: Preserve Intent, Elevate the Name

No matter which side of the dining table you’re on, there are three things worth doing:

1. Conduct a “native ear test” that works in both directions. Read your name—whether it’s in English or Chinese—to a friend from the other culture and ask them to share their first three associations. If their thoughts drift toward “dessert menus” or “wuxia movies,” it’s a sign you may need to tweak your choice.
2. If unsure, just ask directly. Avoid guessing or relying solely on dictionaries—instead, ask a friend from that culture, “Does this name sound like a person’s name, or something else?” A straightforward question is far more effective than hours of speculation.
3. Keep the original intention while refining the name. Name scholar He Rongzhu uses an analogy: innate traits are like the factory‑assembled car model, while a name represents the road the car will take (He Rongzhu, Textbook of Name Studies, China Materials Publishing House, 2012). You’ll be on this road for a long time, so it’s worth making it smooth—but the heartfelt intention behind choosing the name never needs to change.

Looking for a Chinese name that can pass the test of “the other culture’s ear”? Give GetHanName a try—we combine sound, appearance, meaning, and your personal expectations to turn that heartfelt intention into a wonderful dish fit for their cultural dining table.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why do Chinese people choose English names?
It’s mainly for practical reasons related to work and history. Over the decades of cross-border collaboration, having an English name that is easy to pronounce and spell helps avoid many misunderstandings when communicating with foreign clients and colleagues. It serves as a form of professional etiquette and a way to show respect in interactions—rather than a rejection of one’s original name. Many Chinese people use their English names in external settings while still retaining their native names for personal use, using both simultaneously.

Q2: Are names like Rainbow “wrong”?
They’re not wrong at all; they simply sound unusual to native speakers. Native speakers generally won’t feel offended and are more likely to be surprised or find them endearing. Names are a matter of personal choice, and whether a name is sweet like Rainbow or steady like Elaine, both are valid choices—there’s no hierarchy between them. However, if you want your name to blend in seamlessly, testing it with native ears first can be a good idea.

Q3: Do foreigners need to choose a Chinese name?
It’s not mandatory—using a pinyin-based name is perfectly fine. But in a Chinese-speaking context, a memorable and meaningful Chinese name often acts as a shortcut to building connections. It conveys the message that “I take your culture seriously.” This intention alone usually touches people more than the literal meaning of the name.

Q4: Should you change your name after moving to another country?
Legally, it’s almost never required. Retaining your original name is both your right and part of your cultural identity. Choosing a locally styled name (or nickname) can be a thoughtful addition. The two can coexist just fine—much like how many Chinese people go by “Lily” outside but “Lili” at home, allowing flexibility without having to choose one over the other.

VII. Further Reading

• 📖 Eastern vs Western Naming: Why Are We So Different? (10.1) — Want a comprehensive overview of these differences? This article uses the contrast between “Gothic churches” and “traditional Chinese courtyards” to explain the underlying structures of naming practices in East and West.
• 📖 Catastrophic Naming Moments: Humorous Lessons from Failed Names (8.3) — Five common pitfalls when choosing names, applicable whether you’re naming in Chinese or English. Read for laughs and useful tips to avoid these mistakes.
• 📖 Transliteration vs Translation: The Spectrum of Name Translation (9.2) — From “Shitou” to “Shi Mingyuan,” there’s a whole range of possibilities. This guide helps you find the approach that fits your needs best.

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References

• Fang Lichen, Zhengming Daoxing, Civil Aviation Press of China, 2007.
• He Rongzhu, Textbook of Name Studies, China Materials Publishing House, 2012.
• The common phenomena discussed regarding Chinese people using English names and foreigners adopting Chinese names are widely observed in cross-cultural contexts and are included here to aid readers’ understanding; the “cooking for each other” analogy is an original framework developed for this article.

This article is originally published on GetHanName’s blog at gethanname.com. Please contact us if you would like to reproduce it.