What’s in a name?
What’s in a name? Well, everything! One’s name is intrinsically linked with one’s identity. It is often the first piece of information we share with others. A name can carry deep personal, cultural, familial and historical significance and can represent who we are and where we come from. In many cultures, names have specific meanings and intentions that can shape one's self-perception. Indeed, this link is so strong that people sometimes choose to change their name or go by a middle name to better reflect their personal identity. Given the deep significance of a name in shaping our identity and how we are recognised by the community, saying a name correctly is hugely important!
As members of an international scientific community, it is our responsibility to make everyone welcome and pronouncing someone’s name correctly is a first step. Or perhaps the second – when encountering an unfamiliar name, “How do you say your name?” is an excellent start. This effort shows that you value the person you are conversing with or introducing and are attempting to honour their culture and tradition. It creates a great first impression and sets a positive tone for your interactions. It shows respect, builds trust and inclusion and can strengthen professional, academic and personal relationships. While mistakes happen and names in unfamiliar languages can be challenging, a lack of effort, or consistently mispronouncing a name after being corrected, can make someone feel marginalised, dismissed or hurt.
Taking a moment to learn and correctly pronounce someone's name is more than a simple courtesy; it is an essential component of effective communication and relationship building in both personal and professional contexts. So, let's make the effort to say names correctly and respect the identities and heritage of those around us, fostering a truly inclusive environment!
Find out more about how we are making Annual Conference as accessible and inclusive as possible in our Annual Conference 2026: meeting your needs news story.