Why Immigrant Parents Might Want to Think Twice Before Naming Their Child “John”

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So, let me introduce myself: I’m John. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, not so much. You’d be surprised at how many folks are thrown off when they hear my name. They often guess it’s Jon, Juan, Jowan, or something more exotic like Jaan or Johan. And don’t even get me started on the odd spellings like “JHON.” Seriously, when did that become a thing?

It’s almost comical how people react when they see me. Sure, I’ve grown a beard that might confuse some, especially those TSA agents, but the disconnect is real. It’s like their brains just can’t mesh what they see with the name I give them. I can only imagine their thought process: “No way this guy is named John. He must be Ali or Samir, or something like that.”

When I tell them my name is indeed John, it’s like I’ve thrown a wrench in their cognitive gears. They’re puzzled, and suddenly, I’m faced with the classic follow-up question: “How do you spell that?”

Honestly, part of me wants to say, “How do you think? Like every other ‘John’ out there!” But I just end up spelling it out, and that’s usually not the end of it. “Oh, cool, but that’s not your real name, right?” you can imagine how frustrating that gets!

My parents, who immigrated from Egypt, thought they were doing me a favor by giving me a name that was familiar and easy to spell. They wanted me to fit in and not face ridicule. I had a buddy named Amir whose parents didn’t have the same foresight. His name, which was perfectly normal back home, became a source of constant teasing in school.

My parents came to America dreaming of opportunities for their children. They wanted me to have a name that would help me blend in seamlessly. My dad often told me, “You could be president one day!” I used to laugh it off, but he genuinely believed that my name would help me achieve that dream.

Imagine my dad in a deep sleep, envisioning my future, only to wake up in a panic, shouting, “John! We have to name him John!” So, they chose a name that they thought would shield me from trouble. Ironically, they ended up naming my brothers Steve and Andrew, and they don’t seem to have the same issues I do—maybe it’s because they don’t look as “ethnic” as I do.

In the end, it’s not just about the name. It’s about how people perceive you. Perhaps Meena’s parents weren’t as misguided as I thought. Changing my name to something more common might make life easier, but would it still allow me to reach for the stars?

For more insights into the world of home insemination, check out this post on intracervical insemination, or learn more about the topic from Make A Mom. If you want additional resources, WomensHealth.gov is an excellent place to start.

In summary, naming your child is a big deal, especially for immigrant parents. The name you choose can shape perceptions and experiences in ways you might not expect. While a name like John might seem like a safe bet, it’s worth considering the broader implications of how others will perceive your child.