IELTS SPEAKING PART1 - Name

Names

1.    Does your name have any special meaning?

I’m afraid not.

2.    When Chinese people name their children, are there any special customs that are followed?

I suppose yes, especially in rural areas they name their children after a sophisticated tradition, but I have no idea how that system works. But there is a progressive number of people abandon such a custom.

3.    Is there any special ceremony when babies are given their names?

In china there isn’t, and usually the geriatric people’s opinion like grandpa has a huge influence on the child’s name

4.    How are Chinese names and Western names different?

Well, I don't know how western people’s names are acquired, so I cannot draw the comparison, but in china, each character has its own meanings. And we avoid some pronunciation that represents a negative connotation.

5.    What name do people at home call you?

My parents normally call my full name or call me son.

6.    Do many people in China have a nickname?

I suppose it depends on the closeness between people, some individuals may have a nickname among some of his intimate friends, but this name would not be called by other acquaintance. So it’s hard to say that most chinese people have nicknames.

7.    Are there any big differences between people's names today in China and people's names many years ago?

Yes, because in the past people’s names usually reflect a certain historical event. For example, people who are born in 1949 usually reflect the establishment of PR china in their names. And in one year chairman mao wrote a poetry appreciating plum blossom, thus, individuals who were born in that year would contain plum blossom in their names.

8.    Do Chinese people like to have common names?

Well, I don't know whether they intended to have the identical names, but actually there indeed a sheer number of people who take the same name.

9.    Why are some Chinese names very similar to each other?

Well, one of the reasons might be the sheer number of people in China, and the number may be more than that of the Chinese characters. And after eliminating some characters that has negative connotations, then we have no choice but use similar names.

10.  Do Chinese people today usually have a third name?

I’m afraid not. Chinese people only have family name and given name, and there is no third name.

11.  Is your surname very common in China?

Relatively speaking, not that common, because lots of parents in china aspire their child to be distinguished. So this might be the reason why it is not that popular.

12.  What's the most common surname in China?

Chao I suppose, which means superior, because lots of parents in china aspire their child to be distinguished.

13.  Do Chinese people attach a lot of importance to names?

Yes, because we have a culture that auspicious names may indicate a better future. Thus it would be the first significant thing for parents to create a name for their baby.

14.  Do people in China ever change their names?

Yes, some of my friends in primary school changed their name when they grow up.

15.  Would you like to change your name?

Not really, because I reckon that name is just a token, what your life will be depends largely on you rather than your name.