When I migrated to the United States in 1984 and started to work in a convenience store to soak local culture, I was surprised to know that every male customer was either Tom, Dick, John or Joe. Later, I learned that these names were diminutive version of their biblical names. Additionally, these names were all single syllables- thus easy to pronounce. This helped me fashion my own nick name- Pommy as my friends back home always called me Pummy. I think only my parents called me by my full name - Paramjit.
I have come across many Desis who have similarly, while keeping the essence of their original name, shortened theirs for easier communication. Unfortunately, I have also seen some parents name their kids with biblical names thus totally compromising kid’s identity and her/his self esteem. In one instance, I have seen a kid adopt her real ( Sikh) name after gaining adulthood.
When I migrated to the United States in 1984 and started to work in a convenience store to soak local culture, I was surprised to know that every male customer was either Tom, Dick, John or Joe. Later, I learned that these names were diminutive version of their biblical names. Additionally, these names were all single syllables- thus easy to pronounce. This helped me fashion my own nick name- Pommy as my friends back home always called me Pummy. I think only my parents called me by my full name - Paramjit.
I have come across many Desis who have similarly, while keeping the essence of their original name, shortened theirs for easier communication. Unfortunately, I have also seen some parents name their kids with biblical names thus totally compromising kid’s identity and her/his self esteem. In one instance, I have seen a kid adopt her real ( Sikh) name after gaining adulthood.