I came across an article, where a couple in China wants to name their son @. You read correctly, @, which prounounced in Mandarin is “ai ta” and translated in English means “love him”. It turns out that the deputy chief of the State Language Commission, turned down their request, saying
…the name was an extreme example of people’s increasingly adventurous approach to Chinese, as commercialization and the Internet break down conventions.
I shouldn’t be one to talk. I’ve had the name Genghis all my life. It’s served me well, and most people give me compliments for being named after a Mongolian barbarian. “That’s such a strong and powerful name” except of course when it’s butchered at your local Starbucks. The barrista calls my order, “Iced Grande Vanilla latte for Gingivitis”. I flee to a corner and wait a few minutes to pick up my latte as to not draw more embarrassment. I suppose @ would have a difficult time at Starbucks too.
“Hi, I’d like to order an Iced grande vanilla latte.”
“What’s your name?”, the cashier replies.
“@.”
“How do you spell it?”
“@ like the symbol in your email address.”
A hush falls over Starbucks, the music stops. The cashier looks at @ in confusion.
“Nevermind, the name’s Ed.”
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Sandy wrote:
Genghis is an awesome name. No one ever forgets it, and it’s definately more unique than something like “Mike”.
Posted on 16-Aug-07 at 10:32 am | Permalink
Akrypti wrote:
My first name makes me sound like a porn star. People always ask, with a smirk, “Is that really your name? Like, is that what it says on your birth certificate?” Yes, yes. My parents have a very schadenfreude sense of humor, what can I say.
I actually think “@” or “ai ta” is a really cute name. Well, this is coming from the person who wants to name her children Elita, Prophecy, Raven, and Lexikai.
Posted on 16-Aug-07 at 11:39 am | Permalink
Claire wrote:
Genghis, you know this to be true: these parents can just go the Filipino route and still have their way. They can just name the kid some perfectly acceptable Chinese name but give her “@/ai ta” as a nickname. Just look at my family members named Maria or Vicente who go by Pinky, Bong Bong, Tin Tin, and best of all, Boobsie.
Posted on 16-Aug-07 at 12:23 pm | Permalink
Xxxtine wrote:
Can’t for get everyone’s Tito Boy
Posted on 16-Aug-07 at 2:24 pm | Permalink
Ernie wrote:
One word: ERNIE. There, I win.
Posted on 16-Aug-07 at 5:36 pm | Permalink
Akrypti wrote:
Well, is Ernie short for Ernest? I like “Ernest.” That’s a great name.
Posted on 16-Aug-07 at 5:52 pm | Permalink
Mike wrote:
Yea, “Mike” is hella too common. And ooo look, 7 comments!
Posted on 16-Aug-07 at 6:29 pm | Permalink
Bruce wrote:
Hey Genghis, why would you flee to a corner? Is that a joke with the barista or something? Do you actually allow people to disrespect your name?
Just wondering.
Posted on 17-Aug-07 at 9:02 am | Permalink
Andy wrote:
Sweet lord how will he tell people his email address: @@yahoo.com?
Posted on 24-Aug-07 at 7:01 pm | Permalink
Genghis wrote:
Or @@ could be shorthand for All Terrain Armored Transport. 20 pts to guess the reference.
Posted on 24-Aug-07 at 8:16 pm | Permalink
8 Asians » The Hip ‘n Free Philippine Encyclopedia wrote:
[...] Genghis has been covering all sorts of news about China, I wondered, what about the Philippines? I mean, Asia is more than just [...]
Posted on 27-Aug-07 at 7:27 pm | Permalink