Half of Brits with non-English names have shortened or Anglicised their name to avoid bias, study finds

More than half of British individuals with non-English names have altered or simplified their names to mitigate potential biases, according to a recent study. The research, which surveyed 500 participants, found that many respondents felt their culturally distinct names placed them at a disadvantage in social and professional contexts. This trend includes individuals altering how they present their names on job applications or using an Anglicised version exclusively in professional environments. The study identified names of Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, and Turkish origin as particularly affected. Some names, such as Kashif and Juanita, have become virtually absent from recent birth records, while others, including Vishal and Ikra, have seen notable decreases in usage. Experts from the language learning platform Preply noted that these changes reflect broader societal pressures related to pronunciation, acceptance, and perceived bias. They emphasized that names often carry cultural significance and that their transformation may signal a shift in how identities are expressed across generations. Notable figures in British entertainment have also undergone similar transformations. Sir Ben Kingsley, whose Anglo-Indian heritage means he was originally named Krishna Pandit Bhanji, adopted his stage name to enhance his career prospects. Similarly, Queen’s lead vocalist Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara, and Sir Mo Farah’s birth name is Hussein Abdi Kahin. Actress Thandiwe Newton initially appeared as ‘Thandie Newton’ following a misspelling in her early film credits, later reclaiming her original Zimbabwean spelling in 2021. Even Helen Mirren, celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest actresses, was born Ilyena Lydia Mironoff, with her father choosing to alter the family name in the 1950s to facilitate better employment opportunities and ease challenges for his children. Common examples of names being shortened or Anglicised include Mohammed becoming Mo, Priyanka turning into Priya, Aleksandr evolving into Alex, Harpreet becoming Harry, Krzysztof transforming into Kris, Małgorzata into Maggie, Yevgeny into Eugene, and Giovanni into Gio. These alterations highlight a growing preference among individuals to adopt names that are more readily understood within a predominantly English-speaking society. According to Preply’s findings, 82 percent of people with non-Anglo names encounter frequent mispronunciations, and 52 percent have experienced their names being altered or avoided without their consent. Nearly three-quarters of survey participants reported feelings of anger, frustration, or embarrassment due to persistent mispronunciations. Additionally, over half of respondents indicated they would consider giving their children more English-sounding names to potentially avoid similar experiences. An examination of birth records further supports this trend. Although the number of births to non-U.K. mothers has risen by 63 percent since 2003, the increase in the use of distinct non-Anglo names has been significantly lower, at 22 percent. Despite Muhammad currently holding the title of the most popular boys’ name in the UK, the next most common Arabic name, Yusuf, appears far less frequently. This discrepancy suggests that parents may opt for more familiar names to reduce the likelihood of mispronunciation or bias, potentially affecting the transmission of diverse linguistic traditions. Ms. Madeline Enos, a spokesperson for Preply, stated that names serve as reflections of identity, history, and heritage. She acknowledged that while some individuals choose to shorten or Anglicise their names as a personal decision, others face external pressures to adapt their names for greater acceptance. She concluded that recognizing and accommodating names as they are can foster inclusivity and respect for cultural diversity.