should i change my name to something more "american"?

[chocchipcookie]

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i have a foreign name, as my parents came from eastern europe to the states. after talking to several dentists and doctors, a lot of them said to change my name to be more "american". i'm not against this idea, but wanted to know what you all thought.

i was thinking something like emily adams or emily clark, something just really "normal".

 

[zoralsurgeon]

i have a foreign name, as my parents came from eastern europe to the states. after talking to several dentists and doctors, a lot of them said to change my name to be more "american". i'm not against this idea, but wanted to know what you all thought.

i was thinking something like emily adams or emily clark, something just really "normal".

Omg! No way! I have a cool name too 😉 I think it adds originality. I am all about not being afraid to be yourself. Be who you be and dont worry if joe the plumber can't spell it, or cindy the whomever can't say it right!!!

 

[UCSD6]

what country?

 

[SeattleRDH]

i have a foreign name, as my parents came from eastern europe to the states. after talking to several dentists and doctors, a lot of them said to change my name to be more "american". i'm not against this idea, but wanted to know what you all thought.

i was thinking something like emily adams or emily clark, something just really "normal".

Shame on them for suggesting you change your name! Don't do it.

 

[dentaldawg32]

 

[Voltron2010]

i have a foreign name, as my parents came from eastern europe to the states. after talking to several dentists and doctors, a lot of them said to change my name to be more "american". i'm not against this idea, but wanted to know what you all thought.

i was thinking something like emily adams or emily clark, something just really "normal".

I know several people from school who changed their names. One was a long persian name that many people had problems remembering or saying. He basically kept the first half of his name that people could easily pronounce. A guy in a lower class also changed his name but he did it bc his name in the USA is a female name but not in his country so he changed it to a more masculine one. A classmate of my changed his name bc it was a bad name for dentistry.. his last name was pain... yup pain, and being called Dr.Pain does not go well in dentistry.


But this is a personal decision. you can always keep you last name and make it your middle name and make a last name people can remember.

 

[chocchipcookie]

I know several people from school who changed their names. One was a long persian name that many people had problems remembering or saying. He basically kept the first half of his name that people could easily pronounce. A guy in a lower class also changed his name but he did it bc his name in the USA is a female name but not in his country so he changed it to a more masculine one. A classmate of my changed his name bc it was a bad name for dentistry.. his last name was pain... yup pain, and being called Dr.Pain does not go well in dentistry.


But this is a personal decision. you can always keep you last name and make it your middle name and make a last name people can remember.

oh, i like that idea! i hadn't even thought about that. i'll see if i can work out something like that! and lol @ dr. pain

why do you think i'm trolling? this is a real concern. my own dentist changed his name, so it obviously happens. thank you for the ugly picture.

 

[BombayBDS]

Yaa I face that too..
I just joke and tell them that they can butcher it 5 times. But after that , they owe me coffee for every mis-pronunciation.

generally, people get the hang of it..

 

[Vapor1122]

I could see it being a smart move for business, but I also understand the hangup in doing so.

 

[Saddleshoes]

i have a foreign name, as my parents came from eastern europe to the states. after talking to several dentists and doctors, a lot of them said to change my name to be more "american". i'm not against this idea, but wanted to know what you all thought.

i was thinking something like emily adams or emily clark, something just really "normal".

Emily, Emily, this is the United State of America, where we are ALL immigrants in one form or another. Be proud of who you are and were you come from. You might just make a million taking care of Eastern Europe folks.

 

[lmaozedong1]

Why would you want to change your name?

Personally, I think Dr. chocchipcookie sounds pretty awesome.

 

[BombayBDS]

Why would you want to change your name?

Personally, I think Dr. chocchipcookie sounds pretty awesome.

 

[beeho]

though title really isn't going to be "Dr. Ho", I have made considerations to make this legal.

 

[noles]

dey took er jobbbbssss

 

[Sauce]

I wouldn't. First of all it is your family name. I am proud of my name and would never want to change it. Secondly having a foreign sounding name is not always a disadvantage. There are a lot of dental schools, employers etc that are looking to bring diversity into their organization. Changing your name wouldn't change your diverse background but it would make it less obvious. Third it shouldn't be that big of a deal for any forward thinking area. I have lived in California almost all of my life and its quite a melting pot and I don't know of any dentist struggling because of his or her name or background.

 

[PreDental88]

My classmate from undergrad was in a similar situation as yourself and she went ahead with changing her name because she wanted professors to remember her name. I understand several poster's opinion on maintaining your cultural identity and uniqueness with your foreign name, but I think everyone is different and you should do what's right for you. At the end of the day, if it makes you happy I definitely think you should go with it!

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

 

[Contach]

My classmate from undergrad was in a similar situation as yourself and she went ahead with changing her name because she wanted professors to remember her name. I understand several poster's opinion on maintaining your cultural identity and uniqueness with your foreign name, but I think everyone is different and you should do what's right for you. At the end of the day, if it makes you happy I definitely think you should go with it!

👍

It is easy to attract people of a different origin, culture, or ethnicity by saying in advertisements that so and so languages are spoken in the office. I would think it would be a great way to attract patients.
This is a very personal choice. I think if you are doing it for the right reasons, and are in no way ashamed of being 'different', then you will be happy with your choice to change your name. You will forever be who you are, a name is only a name and could go a long way in helping people remember your name after a glance on a sign, or being able to approach you without having fear of mispronouncing.