Why do most non-Christian Chinese S'poreans give themselves adopted Western first names?

[True Believer]

Last time, a colleague mentioned during a conversation that her child complained to him about why all her classmates have Christian names and she doesn't have one.

Many non-Christian Millennials and Gen Zs prefer to have an English name because they think it is cooler than their official Chinese names. Choosing an unofficial English name allows them to pick a personal identity that feels uniquely theirs.

 

[Dongyi]

Christians all over the world (not just in S'pore) have a beautiful tradition of choosing names of faithful followers of Jesus in the Bible because they want their children to carry a reminder of God's character and faithfulness in their lives. Jewish names like Daniel mirror his faith and courage, Elijah was a prophet of boldness and prayer, Emanuel means "God with us", David was a beloved man after God's own heart, Gabriel means "God is my strength", Sarah was a woman of faith and promise, Grace means God's gift of grace etc.

Is Duluxe a Christian name?

 

[True Believer]

Is Duluxe a Christian name?

@duluxe is the Anti-Christ. He probably stole the French phrase de luxe, which means luxury.

 

[laksaboy]

Not all angmoh names are 'Christian' names, fyi. Christian names are those that you can find in the Bible.

Also, not every name from the Bible is used to name people. No one will name their son Judas or their daughter Jezebel. It's the equivalent of naming your son/daughter 'Chow Chee Bai' or 'Yao Siu Kia'.

 

[True Believer]

There are many non-Christian Indians in S'pore who also adopt Western names which sound similar to their official names. Examples are Devraj being replaced with David, Harish becoming Harry, Sandeep transformed to Sam, Thambiah = Terry, Ramasamy = Roy, Vikram = Victor etc.

 

[True Believer]

Not all angmoh names are 'Christian' names, fyi. Christian names are those that you can find in the Bible. Also, not every name from the Bible is used to name people. No one will name their son Judas or their daughter Jezebel. It's the equivalent of naming your son/daughter 'Chow Chee Bai' or 'Yao Siu Kia'.

I mentioned earlier that Christians have a beautiful tradition of choosing names of faithful followers of Jesus in the Bible because they want their children to carry a reminder of God's character and faithfulness in their lives.

 

[Ah Max]

eh my angmo name iz maximilian though i m not a christian. wats ze problem?

 

[True Believer]

eh my angmo name iz maximilian though i m not a christian. wats ze problem?

Maximilian has Latin origins and means the greatest. There is nothing wrong with you calling yourself Max or Maximilian. You can also call yourself Hitler, Genghis Khan or even Chaka Khan. Those names do not have to appear on your birth cert or NRIC too.

 

[True Believer]

Genghis Khan and Chaka Khan

 

[Balls2U]

It is common for parents in Roman Catholic families in S'pore to choose the name of a saint like Francis, Thomas, John, Paul, Peter etc. between the Christian and surname for their children i.e. Timothy Paul Chua.

Like that drunken lawyer, Steven John Lam.

 

[Balls2U]

Many non-Christian Millennials and Gen Zs prefer to have an English name because they think it is cooler than their official Chinese names. Choosing an unofficial English name allows them to pick a personal identity that feels uniquely theirs.

I've come across Tiongs (and some Sinkies) having stupid English names:

Spanner Chen (Tiong)
Meteor Wang (Tiong)
Omega Sng (Sinkie)
Banter Li (Tiong)
Marshmallow Lau (Sinkie)
Truffle Wee (Sinkie)
Pinnie Ding (Tiong)
Frackson Soh (Sinkie)

 

[Sikodolaukazzz]

Very simple

Those who want or have Christian names have very low self esteem and look down on themselves
If Christianity was African and not White Euro do you think any of you idiots would clamour for a Christian name

It is simply because of some that millions upon millions have lost their lives
Now that the Whites rule the world all of you want to keep Christian names

What will happen when Western civilization collapses which is due to happen within 50 years

No further explanation required

lol

 

[3_M]

But is there any need to get a Christian name even if you are Christian?

 

[Balls2U]

But is there any need to get a Christian name even if you are Christian?

Would it be easier and sounds nicer if a person is called Philip Tan rather than Tan Kia Seng?

 

[superpower]

But is there any need to get a Christian name even if you are Christian?

No. My cousin converted to Christianity and used her Chinese name as her baptism name. Ditto for Sun Yat-Sen.

 

[superpower]

Would it be easier and sounds nicer if a person is called Philip Tan rather than Tan Kia Seng?

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

When Lee Byung Hun was asked why he didn't use an English name in Hollywood, he said, 'The most beautiful sound in the world is the sound of your name uttered by your mother. I thought that Koreans would be prouder of me if I used my Korean name.'

Chow Yun-Fatt is another example.

Spineless Sinkies should learn from them.


https://www.allkpop.com/article/201...an-english-name-for-his-hollywood-advancement

 

[bobby]

My best non Chinese names for Chinese are….they are all real names of my Hongkee colleagues when I was in a bank.

1) Hymen Lam
2) Fanny Pong

 

[Narong Wongwan]

I've come across Tiongs (and some Sinkies) having stupid English names:

Spanner Chen (Tiong)
Meteor Wang (Tiong)
Omega Sng (Sinkie)
Banter Li (Tiong)
Marshmallow Lau (Sinkie)
Truffle Wee (Sinkie)
Pinnie Ding (Tiong)
Frackson Soh (Sinkie)

It used to be the hongkies…..I’ve known of a Cosmopolitan Chan no joke. Now it seems the hongkies have wised up and the Tiongs take their place. This weird English name syndrome stems from chinks insecurity of not having an unique name to stand out

 

[True Believer]

I've come across Tiongs (and some Sinkies) having stupid English names:
Spanner Chen (Tiong)
Meteor Wang (Tiong)
Omega Sng (Sinkie)
Banter Li (Tiong)
Marshmallow Lau (Sinkie)
Truffle Wee (Sinkie)
Pinnie Ding (Tiong)
Frackson Soh (Sinkie)

Provided these PRCs and Hong Kongers perceive that their ridiculous western names make them stand out, it is best to allow them to continue this practice undisturbed.

 

[Balls2U]

My best non Chinese names for Chinese are….they are all real names of my Hongkee colleagues when I was in a bank.

1) Hymen Lam
2) Fanny Pong

Ginfreely Gan Siokbin?