I  READ with interest the column, “Son, blame me for your name” (my paper, Feb 22).

The task of choosing a name for your child can be difficult, and a name chosen haphazardly can cause lifelong problems.

In the past, Chinese names such as Ah Kow (dog), Ah Niu (ox) and Ah Ter (pig) were common.

People with such names that referred to animals were often subjected to ridicule in the school and workplace, so much so that it would probably have made an adverse impact on their social lives.

It does not help that the children of those with such names may also be teased. For instance, it could be tormenting for one to be referred to as the “son of Ah Ngeow (cat)”.

I have a friend whose two sons are called Ronnie and Ronald. When asked if he had given them the same name, he replied that the names are different, because their spelling and pronunciation differ.

This reflects a lack of knowledge about the link between certain names and may create unnecessary inconvenience for the children. Some status-conscious parents give their children names to reflect a higher status, in a one-upmanship move, only to regret it should their children fail to live up to expectations.

A carefully chosen name gives a person pride and confidence. A simple one that is easy to pronounce and remember is better than those which lead to confusion and vexation.

MR JEFFREY LAW LEE BENG

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