Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Entertainment

The Struggles Of Having A Difficult To Pronounce Name

Not all of us are lucky enough to be a Jane or a Jessica.

Natalia Terzic

Oct 06, 2015

Valparaiso University

The Struggles Of Having A Difficult To Pronounce Name

RuPaul's Drag Race

1. You've gotten some pretty interesting pronunciations

Sometimes people read your name quickly and just blurt out the first pronunciation that comes to mind. Other times they stare at it for a solid fifteen seconds, lips awkwardly fidgeting in silent syllables, before giving it a stab. And 100% of the time, they say it incorrectly. At least you can get some pretty unique nicknames out of these trial and errors! "Guys, from this point onward, I will only answer to Nataleea."

2. You automatically spell your name when people ask for it

Whether it be for a reservation at a restaurant or for an email subscription at your favorite store, you always dive into autopilot when someone asks for your name and spell it out for them. And you can tell from the way their terrified faces relax as soon as you start spelling it that they greatly appreciate your assistance.

3. You've considered getting a legal name change

The temptation to get it legally changed to something people can't possibly mess up is so, so, sovery tempting. (People would probably have an easier time pronouncing "Princess Consuela Banana Hammock" than they would your actual name, honestly.)

4. You're never really sure if people are talking to you

Some of the pronunciations are so wrong that you aren't even sure someone is referring to you. I mean, the gibberish they said starts with the same letter as your name, and there might have been a syllable in there that was right. You usually just end up raising your hand in response anyway. "Oh, okay. So Natla is me. Got it."

5. You're jealous of people with common names

People with common names go through life never realizing how easy they have it, but they do. They have it sofreaking easy. They have been dealt the greatest hand that life has to offer, and they should bathe their parents in love and gratitude everyday for blessing them with a name that no one could possibly ever eff up.

6. You correct people 600 times but they still can't get it right

You try to help people out by telling them the correct pronunciation after they initially butcher it, but it usually doesn't matter. Once they have decided on a pronunciation for your name, it is set in stone. You are now forever the Americanized version of your ethnic name. I am sorry.

BUT HEY. Look on the (only) bright side. At least you never had to worry about sharing your name with six other people in all of your classes growing up!

#NeverForget Ashley A., Ashley R., Ashley S., and Ashley T. all being in the same fourth grade class. At least we never needed our last initial tossed in there for people to remember us!

So embrace your complex name, my fellow people-who-were-born-to-creative-and/or-ethnic-parents! There will always be people out there (no matter how hard they may be to find) who will pronounce it correctly, even if it takes them a few tries to get it right. And never stop correcting people because you deserve to be called the unique and beautiful name you were given!

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

7 Experiences All Girls With Resting Bitch Face Have Had

The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

University of South Florida

1193

Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less

rbf

Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

Dean College

361

Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less

bobs burgers

Adulting

Adulting 101: In Sickness And In Self

Everybody hurts sometimes.

Georgia State University

307

you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text

Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less

adulting

Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha

1096

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less

class registration

Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky

1530

pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

senior year

Recommended for you

The Struggles Of Having A Difficult To Pronounce Name

Not all of us are lucky enough to be a Jane or a Jessica.

1. You've gotten some pretty interesting pronunciations

2. You automatically spell your name when people ask for it

3. You've considered getting a legal name change

4. You're never really sure if people are talking to you

5. You're jealous of people with common names

6. You correct people 600 times but they still can't get it right

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1. You feel like an elder.

2. You may feel lonely.

3. Senioritis is more real than ever.

4. You may feel a little down sometimes.

5. Fear of missing out won't be as real.

6. You are a college pro.

7. You'll have more free time.

8. You're happy you're still in school.

9. You feel like a guru.

10. You continue to grow.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Entertainment

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter