this post was submitted on 01 Mar 2026
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It's definitely a thing in American schools, but i think it's common in some other countries as well.
When learning another language, the options are to: 1) use your real name with the real pronunciation, 2) real name with different pronunciation, 3) equivalent of name in other language (e.g., John to Juan), 4) just pick a name you like in the other language.
1 doesnt flow well in speech, 2 also feels unnatural, and sometimes isnt possible, and 3 doesnt always exist. Kids also generally like the opportunity to pick a name that they think is cool. There's no expectation that you would use that name in a real life discussion with someone in that language.
Looks like it's common in China as well. https://ans-names.pitt.edu/ans/article/view/2535