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Help[Opinions] When naming a child, how much do you worry about how the name will sound on a resume someday?
I've been pretty stressed about this, I read a study showing resumes with traditionally black names are judged more harshly than resumes with white names. It makes me worried about giving my child anything but a traditional white name. But I have a "unique" cultural name and I did fine, so maybe I shouldn't worry so much! I don't know...
My first child has a pretty traditional name, but was also named after a relative. For my second child, a lot of my favorite names are less conventional in the US (think Amos, Shai, Shalev, Adin... I just made a poll with the full list) but I'm worried about affecting my kid's future if I do that.
My first child has a pretty traditional name, but was also named after a relative. For my second child, a lot of my favorite names are less conventional in the US (think Amos, Shai, Shalev, Adin... I just made a poll with the full list) but I'm worried about affecting my kid's future if I do that.
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Sadly I think it's something that should be considered to a certain extent. I reckon most countries have at least some problems with bias/racism, even if it's an unconscious or unintentional thing.
Having said that, the names you've listed are perfectly normal names so hopefully there wouldn't be a problem. Far better than the weird 'unique' spellings you see, or childish names like 'Baybi' (yes I've seen that one!) etc, which would look pretty embarrassing on a resume.
If you're that bothered by it, could it be an option to either have the cultural name as a middle name so it's less obvious on a resume, or have the middle name as something more 'traditionally white' (as you've described it) so your child has the option to go by either name when they start work? I know a lot of people who use their middle name instead of their first name, and on a resume they could put it as something like 'A. John Smith' (to use a very generic example).
Having said that, the names you've listed are perfectly normal names so hopefully there wouldn't be a problem. Far better than the weird 'unique' spellings you see, or childish names like 'Baybi' (yes I've seen that one!) etc, which would look pretty embarrassing on a resume.
If you're that bothered by it, could it be an option to either have the cultural name as a middle name so it's less obvious on a resume, or have the middle name as something more 'traditionally white' (as you've described it) so your child has the option to go by either name when they start work? I know a lot of people who use their middle name instead of their first name, and on a resume they could put it as something like 'A. John Smith' (to use a very generic example).
This message was edited 12/9/2024, 9:36 AM
In my experience, I think you're unlikely to have to worry about a name on a CV - however I live in the UK, and I think we're possinly less judgemental about that than, for example, the US. I do think the UK has growing issues with racism/right-wing pundits spreading racism, in general, I wouldn't say we have no racism or exceptionally low racism (no places do imho) BUT I think a lot of places have less than in some noteable other countries. I live near London for further context. And I think in big metropolitan areas, yeah, you're gonna get rubbish people BUT the majority of people will be very accepting if not appreciative of other cultures and their traditions. It would be pretty insane to not hire someone just because of their cultural name.
Because UK metro areas are so diverse, and the majority of the population so accepting of diversity, most people wouldn't blink an eyelid at a cultural name, it would actually be kinda weird to be funny about someone's name imho. I did a seminar at my job recently about diversity and we talked about names, and it was interesting the range of name origins / name structures people in my workplace had - some had no surname (father's name), some had no formal first name (e.g. Burmese names), some had a cultural name and went by an English nickname, some had multiple cultural names and went by a middle given name, some had names from multiple different cultures, some had translated their name, I could go on... ultimately though, we all work in the same place and some of them earn a lot more than me, so ultimately I think the only thing anyone cared about was we called them the right name.
Spelling and pronounciation are more of an issue than how it looks on a CV imho.
The one exception I'd say is names that aren't necessarily cultural but seen as more 'modern/trendy/faddy/non-name-like' like Princess, Baby, Cherry, Diamond, Honey, I think people would find them a bit embarassing and judge the bearer before they met them...
Because UK metro areas are so diverse, and the majority of the population so accepting of diversity, most people wouldn't blink an eyelid at a cultural name, it would actually be kinda weird to be funny about someone's name imho. I did a seminar at my job recently about diversity and we talked about names, and it was interesting the range of name origins / name structures people in my workplace had - some had no surname (father's name), some had no formal first name (e.g. Burmese names), some had a cultural name and went by an English nickname, some had multiple cultural names and went by a middle given name, some had names from multiple different cultures, some had translated their name, I could go on... ultimately though, we all work in the same place and some of them earn a lot more than me, so ultimately I think the only thing anyone cared about was we called them the right name.
Spelling and pronounciation are more of an issue than how it looks on a CV imho.
The one exception I'd say is names that aren't necessarily cultural but seen as more 'modern/trendy/faddy/non-name-like' like Princess, Baby, Cherry, Diamond, Honey, I think people would find them a bit embarassing and judge the bearer before they met them...
This message was edited 12/4/2024, 2:12 PM
https://www.britsoc.co.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2020/december/ethnic-minorities-more-likely-to-be-unemployed-because-employers-reject-applications-from-non-white-names/
I doubt it actually happens less in the UK.
I wouldn't say word names like the ones you gave aren't cultural. Princess for example is in the top ten in the Philippines and has some historic usage in the US, and I would guess Diamond is black. I do think it's more than race or ethnocentrism (in an Irish study, non-Irish names, including German names, were discriminated against); it's also about perceived socioeconomic status and classism.
I doubt it actually happens less in the UK.
I wouldn't say word names like the ones you gave aren't cultural. Princess for example is in the top ten in the Philippines and has some historic usage in the US, and I would guess Diamond is black. I do think it's more than race or ethnocentrism (in an Irish study, non-Irish names, including German names, were discriminated against); it's also about perceived socioeconomic status and classism.
This message was edited 12/4/2024, 8:11 PM
I think it's definitely something to consider.
I think it’s worth considering if you’re into very out-there names, or in names that are very cutesy or childish. Like when someone says they’re going to name a child Pepper or Lovely “imagine what it would look on a resume “ is a question worth asking.
But the names you like are definitely not weird or silly sounding and as others have pointed out I don’t think having an “ethnic “ name is a hindrance now, it might even be an advantage in some cases. I live in quite a diverse area and if employers wanted to ditch anyone with a name suggesting an immigrant or non -white background they would be left with precious few potential employees.
But the names you like are definitely not weird or silly sounding and as others have pointed out I don’t think having an “ethnic “ name is a hindrance now, it might even be an advantage in some cases. I live in quite a diverse area and if employers wanted to ditch anyone with a name suggesting an immigrant or non -white background they would be left with precious few potential employees.
I wouldn't worry about it, or at least, I'd be willing to name my child something that might be seen as weird, as long as it was meaningful to me, because my culture seems open to them and because I think names connect to identity (I wouldn't want the implication to be that my child should sacrifice meaningful things to conform to prejudice? unless I thought the danger was extreme). Even though I can't say it would have no negative impact.
I've encountered a lot of rare names (Icyalite, Fanny, Rudo, Marvella, Mahogany, Velvet, Maame, etc) working at spas and hotels, and considering they can afford those places, I assume they don't struggle to find employment. The manager where I work now is black and has a rare name with an apostrophe. Sometimes weird names are neutral/positive talking points or even a plus for some professions (Cinderella for a pediatrician would be cool, right? I think so).
One time I did hear a boss (an older white lady with a common name) comment negatively about a name on an application for a housekeeper. She said, "Wow, her parents must have hated her!" but did an interview and ended up hiring the person (who was great to have as a coworker imo). The full name sounded exactly like Aryan Hate but both were spelled differently. I would be embarassed by a name like that, but even so, I don't think it should really matter when it comes to employment, and anyway, I wouldn't want to work for a boss who made hiring decisions based on names unless I was really desperate.
You could think about it as helping your child weed out racist employers. It's possible they'd be more likely to find a positive work environment where they're valued for their skills that way.
I've encountered a lot of rare names (Icyalite, Fanny, Rudo, Marvella, Mahogany, Velvet, Maame, etc) working at spas and hotels, and considering they can afford those places, I assume they don't struggle to find employment. The manager where I work now is black and has a rare name with an apostrophe. Sometimes weird names are neutral/positive talking points or even a plus for some professions (Cinderella for a pediatrician would be cool, right? I think so).
One time I did hear a boss (an older white lady with a common name) comment negatively about a name on an application for a housekeeper. She said, "Wow, her parents must have hated her!" but did an interview and ended up hiring the person (who was great to have as a coworker imo). The full name sounded exactly like Aryan Hate but both were spelled differently. I would be embarassed by a name like that, but even so, I don't think it should really matter when it comes to employment, and anyway, I wouldn't want to work for a boss who made hiring decisions based on names unless I was really desperate.
You could think about it as helping your child weed out racist employers. It's possible they'd be more likely to find a positive work environment where they're valued for their skills that way.
This message was edited 12/1/2024, 3:02 PM
This is a great way to think about it. Thank you so much for your thoughtful answer!
Nowadays? Zero. But maybe that's I'm in Canada, and having an "ethnic" name is considered a plus here.
I sometimes think the whole "resume respectability" is leftover Boomer logic. Like, in the 1970's I'm sure having an unusual name was detrimental. These days... it's practically not even possible to have a unique name.
I think resumes will be the least of the future's problems, honestly.
I sometimes think the whole "resume respectability" is leftover Boomer logic. Like, in the 1970's I'm sure having an unusual name was detrimental. These days... it's practically not even possible to have a unique name.
I think resumes will be the least of the future's problems, honestly.
Not at all. You don’t even have to put your legal name on a resume if you don’t want to.
You don’t? What do you write then?
What you prefer to be called by.
So in my case, I strongly dislike my (father’s) last name, I could use my mother’s instead without getting into trouble?
I do this. I put my mothers maiden name as my surname on job applications. When I have to fill out w2 paperwork they can see that it’s not my legal name, but I haven’t been questioned thus far. If they did I would simply explain that I plan to change my legal surname and prefer to be addressed that way. Just don’t make it seem like you’re trying to purposefully hide your identity.
That would be a huge relieve for me! I’ll contact the HR department and ask if this is a possibility to change my last name on my name tag, work mail etc.
I’d change my surname in a heartbeat, but it’s a huge pain to do so where I live. You need a psychologically report etc. And although he hurt me I still don’t want to hurt my father by changing my last name officially and him finding out in an emergency situation. (not yet)
I’d change my surname in a heartbeat, but it’s a huge pain to do so where I live. You need a psychologically report etc. And although he hurt me I still don’t want to hurt my father by changing my last name officially and him finding out in an emergency situation. (not yet)
Since it's a last name, I don't know how it would work. This is for stuff like, an Elizabeth could put "Betty" or "Liz" on her resume, and that's fine.
You would have to use your legal name on all official paperwork anyway, I assume.
You would have to use your legal name on all official paperwork anyway, I assume.
The child will spend every day of their life with their name, and a very few days writing a resume. I think you are stressing about a very minor consideration.
I think most important is spelling and pronunciation. Also if your first is a traditional name, I'd go with the same for others.
I read about the study that you are referring to. Naming your kid something "normal" when you do not really want to would stifle your cultural expression, but would possibly make your child's life easier. There is no way to guarantee that, either way. Just do what feels right.