Nobody wants to say your name wrong...
...but it's possible for people to get it right. If people can learn celebrity names, they can learn yours.
Your name is worth being said correctly! You just have to show people how.
It's Ok to Correct Someone
It might be awkward at first, but if someone tries to say your name....awesome! There's no harm in telling them how to say it correctly.
Be positive! Tell them, "That was so close but it's actually pronounced 'Muh-raid...."
Nice to Meet Me!
Introduce yourself the way you want people to introduce you to others.
Own it: say your full name with confidence.
Don't rush: speak at a consistent speed and be clear.
Help: give them tips to say your name correctly, like rhyming words.
Quiz
You introduce yourself as "Maxence". People ask if they can call you Max. Do you have to say "yes"?
Same Name Game
If possible, come up with easy-to-remember ways to get the correct pronunciation to stick:
"I'm Lasi. It rhymes with classy.
"My name is Kamala. It's just comma + la."
What About My Resume?
Give hiring managers a headstart by adding a fo-net-ick-al (phonetical) guide below your name.
This means writing easy-to-follow sounds that make up your full name. Here are some examples of famous people's names:
Saoirse Ronan: sur-sh-a-sha row-nin
Anna Faris: ah-na fair-is
Joe Manganiello: jo man-guh-nell-o
Domhnall Gleeson: don-null glee-son
Gal Gadot: gal ga-dote
Amanda Seyfried: ah-man-duh sigh-fred
Sample of phonetics added to a resume:
Take Action
You're on your way to living in a more inclusive world!
The more you say your name and make the correct pronunciation the expectation, people will adapt. It might be annoying at first, but don't give up.
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