Ask Lemmy

I would choose something that at least has some resemblance to your real name. I've always found it awkward when somebody tells me that their name is, for example, "Liang but call me Peter". I'd rather call you Liang. Or Larry? Something related to your name somehow.

To me, it's not really any different than anyone else choosing a nickname and it would be kind of weird if my name was Sean and I decided that everybody should call me Vladimir.

But maybe Cliff does have some resemblance to yours, and I may have had more interaction with Chinese people than your average westerner has.

I'm over it.

Meh, I'm on the edge with that one.

Lol I was born in China and now a naturalized US Citizen and I still have the "Pinyin Name" as my legal name... I just never felt like any "English-language name" fits me... cuz they all gives off the "vibe" of being a ABC (American-Born Chinese) and that feels so "phony" to me.

I'd say just embrace your real name...

(I mean usually how it works is that: you just "Anglicanize" it a bit and drop the tones when people ask "how do you pronounce it")

Depends what variety of Cliff you are:

Cliff Clavin approves.

Oooh... edgy.

USA perspective: I have a relative with that name (short for Clifford) who died in the ‘60s. Good name. Not common any more but ready for a fashionable comeback.

I used to work with a guy named Cliff. He was a really swell fellow. Sounds like a good name to me.

It's a bit old fashioned and I'll admit, I do associate it with a big red dog from some children's books. That said, I like it and I think it's really cool when folks' English names are uncommon

This guy

It's good 👍. People might assume it's short for Clifford.

It sounds American and mid-20th-century. If that’s the vibe you’re going for, great.

It’s an old style name, short for Clifford or Clifton. Sounds direct and manly, not very common today amongst young people. However, Cliff sounds cool! It would be memorable to others for sure. :)

I like it, but speaking perfectly honestly, I've never seen an Asian named Cliff

Sounds a bit old-timey. I refuse to believe that there are people younger than 60 years old with that name.

I approve.

I think it's a really good choice of name 👍

It's rare in England (from my experience) but we recognise all American names from TV and literature so, being slightly American, I think it comes across as a cool one while not seeming unusual.

I like to use the real name of people, because that is more personal, after all, parents have given their children names for a reason. But perhaps that is simply a European thing, many Chinese people simply adopt another name, perhaps given names do not have so it should be meaning in China?

That is a great name. It is a classic “manly man” name.

It sounds very butch 🤣

No, it's a cool name though - short and snappy ;)

Older folks might think you're making a reference to Cliff Richard, a guy who is quite famous here, so expect that to come up every now and then.

Lots of people really don't like the guy, or think he's a bit cringe-worthy, but others regard him fondly.

Anyway, like yourself, Cliff isn't his real name, but most people know him by it.

Do with this knowledge what you will.

Is anyone saying it's a great name actually in the UK? Because in the UK people will think it's a rather odd and old-fashioned name (and not in a retro way).

Its a fine name.

Right away I think of Cliff Clavin from Cheers.

Cliff?

Joke aside it sounds cool and sure is memorable