Trying to educate myself - is it normal for an Asian man to have two different names?

panyan · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:11

Dimple said:
I should have explained better:

I was after a Mr Razi Siddique and after using every means at my disposal I found out he was also called Mr Mohammed Khan (names totally changed).

that doesnt sound right to me, two completely different names? hmmmmm....

Castiel · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:11

Dimple said:
I should have explained better:

I was after a Mr Razi Siddique and after using every means at my disposal I found out he was also called Mr Mohammed Khan (names totally changed).

It would appear that he has an Islamic Name as well as his birth name. He may have either converted at some point or simply reaffirmed his commitment to his faith by taking a name that he feels honours that commitment.

Hope that helps Dimple.

KNiVES · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:11

It is common yeah. I have a good friend whose name is Alam but we call him Muhammed now. It's to do with his faith.

You also get people from the Asia-pacific regions who use English names as an endearing nickname.

panyan said:
that doesnt sound right to me, two completely different names? hmmmmm....

This is a slippery slope and I demand you get off it before this thread gets ruined.

Biohazard · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:12

panyan said:
that doesnt sound right to me, two completely different names? hmmmmm....

Loads of people do it. There is nothing illegal about aliases.

Strife212 · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:15

There's nothing illegal about it but it does sound pretty unusual, mainly because the first name is an islamic one anyway.

Rroff · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:27

Castiel said:
It would appear that he has an Islamic Name as well as his birth name. He may have either converted at some point or simply reaffirmed his commitment to his faith by taking a name that he feels honours that commitment.

Hope that helps Dimple.

This sounds like the most likely, tho I know some Egyptians tho whose name is say: Razi Siddique Mohammed Khan in full, would then use Razi Siddique, Razi Khan and Mohammed Khan in different situations - I have no idea what the logic is behind it.

EDIT: And probably also go by something like "Richard" Khan or something as well over here (tho probably not Richard if they know their history heh).

SexyGreyFox · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:31

Rroff said:
EDIT: And probably also go by something like "Richard" Khan or something as well over here (tho probably not Richard if they know their history heh).

One of my GPs is called something like Savagaraz Vasamdizajong but he calls himself Steve Vas

Jay794 · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:43

Such a drastic name change sounds like some fraud is going on there lol

Biohazard · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:45

Jay794 said:
Such a drastic name change sounds like some fraud is going on there lol

No, it sounds like a religious commitment to me.

TNGL · 17 Dec 2011 at 17:56

My Dad's called, Sajid. Everybody calls him Sajid. But yes, as others have said... it is common.

craptakular · 17 Dec 2011 at 18:29

For 20 years I thought my Grandad was called Robert (Bob) turns out his name is Richard.

???? Why???

flibbage0 · 17 Dec 2011 at 18:29

They do it because of racism.

I'm not even kidding.

SexyGreyFox · 17 Dec 2011 at 18:31

flibbage0 said:
They do it because of racism.

I'm not even kidding.

How does changing your name from Mr Razi Siddique to Mr Mohammed Khan combat racism?

I can't wait for this one - F5 F5 F5.

Nitefly · 17 Dec 2011 at 18:34

True story of the day:

I once worked with a chineese man called John in KFC. But I couldn't find his name on the roster, so I asked the manager. She smiled and told me his real name. I didn't believe her so she told me to look at the roster again.

And there it was. In all its glory.

'Ching Chang Chong'.

SB118 · 17 Dec 2011 at 18:35

They do it for fraud.

I'm not even kidding.

pingwing · 17 Dec 2011 at 18:55

Got a mate whos real name is Sean even though he's reffered to everyone as Dave (even his mum I think now)

Not all that uncommon to go by more than one name just to make life a bit simpler

Biohazard · 17 Dec 2011 at 19:00

Nitefly said:
True story of the day:

I once worked with a chineese man called John in KFC. But I couldn't find his name on the roster, so I asked the manager. She smiled and told me his real name. I didn't believe her so she told me to look at the roster again.

And there it was. In all its glory.

'Ching Chang Chong'.

Rhymes with John.

Simples.

ilcp · 17 Dec 2011 at 19:07

Vonhelmet said:
I've come across it. I think it's something to do with Islam, but I'm not really sure. I think it's a bit like Cat Stevens changing his name when he converted to Islam.

Not certain, mind you.

why does everything get connected to "Islam"?

I have never personally met an indian/pakistani (if that is what you meant by asian) who has an English man, although i have heard of some (in the news) iirc.

I have a chinese friend who has an English name as chinese name would be difficult to pronounce

Locky · 17 Dec 2011 at 19:08

most of them do it to get away with driving taxis in each others names with no documents, at least round my way they do.

mollymoo · 17 Dec 2011 at 19:11

I had two on my payroll with the second name Kaur, I thought they were related but it turns out to be a cultural/religion thing to do with marriage I think.