So I always have a good list of “bad,” or wtf?!?, English names my students tend to give themselves. First group of postgraduate students was fairly tame, but my second group...oh boy, they definitely made up for the lack of interesting names in the first group 1/?

So let’s look at some, Class 1;
Moonpai, Yana, Sulwen, Northa, Jatin, Brain (probably means Brian), Clytze, Pag (maybe a weird spelling of Paige), Crab, Hypo (as long as he isn’t hyper I don’t care haha/bad joke), and Uisunz (have no clue, don’t even know how to pronounce) 2/?

Probably wondering why I haven’t asked, or why I haven’t had students change their weird name. Well, my classes are quite large and I get them for only a short time frame. It’s a lot of group discussions and walking around taking as groups. 3/?

I have always felt weird about changing students’ names. Those that have weird ones usually want to be different. I have three Lilys in one class. I hate being like, “oh your name is dumb, and you look like a Bob; so let’s change your name to Bob.” I don’t do that. 4/?

I have a basic policy. As long as it isn’t vile, rude, or offensive, and you can own your name, then I don’t care. If you want to be Shark, be Shark. If you want to be Hypo, be Hypo. 5/?

I do tend to warn them that their name isn’t very common and could be confusing or found to be silly. Most still keep their names however. 6/?

Class 1 was mild compared to the names im about to throw at you from class 2.

Lordship, Edition, Pillowice, Kwin, East, Little Fish, Juzzi Li, Ai Cool, Soap, Pepsi, Equal, UtiUti, Change, Young Kid, Derwin

7/?

8/?

From the same class. Let’s round it out with; E.P, FaFa, Kloke, and Mione, Interesting names for sure. If these were high school students I might be more inclined to change, but with them being postgraduate students, I don’t really push it.

9/?

Story time. So this year I had a PhD student I recognized from my very first year teaching postgraduate students and when he was a master’s degree seeking student. He wasn’t my student but he did introduce himself then and I will always remember this interaction. 10/?

His English name was Koksin. Weird but not the weirdest by any means. He was then like, if you don’t want to call me that you can call me Dr. Sexy. All of my classmates have nicknamed me Sexy. I was like, “uhhh no” (not judging, but he wouldnt be what I classified as “sexy”) 11/?

Another name I had in my PhD class a couple years ago was an older student who had translated his Chinese name literally to Seaman. Trying calling that name in roll call. Similar pronunciation as a bodily fluid, unless you over emphasize Sea and Man. 12/?

Or the time I had one too many Bens in class and ended up calling one Ben Zhu (his surname). Everyone laughed. Took me a couple weeks to realize I was basically calling him ”stupid pig” 13/?

Going to keep this thread open because I’m sure I will remember some more stories. I’ve had thousands of students at this point and I’m starting to forget stories and crazy names. But I do need to go get ready for a night class 14/?