Letters: Our names always raise a smile in France
Readers share their anecdotes about adapting their names to French
Introductions can be tricky in France if the person you meet cannot pronounce your name
Song_about_summer / Shutterstock
To the Editor,
My wife’s maiden name was Nee (and yes, her father’s initial was ‘K’).
There was great confusion when signing the documentation to buy our house. By then we were married and she was using her married surname – no problems there.
However, we then had to complete a section which asked for her maiden name. So the question on the form was ‘Née’? To which she put ‘Nee’.
They could not understand how or why she was Born? Born.
Strange but true!
Nigel Murrills, by email
Read more: Learning French – when and why do we say avoir un coup de cœur?
To the Editor,
For my surname, I often use L’évêque as the French can get that easier than Bishop.
I have also taken the trouble to learn how to spell my surname using French pronunciation of the letters of the alphabet.
As for my first name, Holly, I have tried using the French houx but the staff in our village shop call me “au lit” and I laugh along with them.
Holly Bishop, Charente
To the Editor,
I enjoyed your article on confusing English names in French and was reminded of an English teacher who many years ago told us that the post office once delivered a letter to him in England that was addressed to his home in 'Claque de Nancy'.
It was of course Clacton-on-Sea.
Allan Black, by email
To the Editor,
More often than not I am called Monsieur Highness, as the French rarely pronounce ‘Haynes’ correctly.
I also get called Heinz even if I tell them there is no similarity with the famous baked beans
Mark Haynes, by email
Read more: How French CVs differ from those in the UK or US
To the Editor,
My late ex-brother-in-law had the surname Moore.
We were always amused whenever he rang up anywhere, announcing himself to the listener as Mr Death!
Sarah Trickey-Völker, by email
Read more: Learning French – when and why would we describe someone as un Bisounours?
Is your name met with bafflement or bemusement by locals in France? Share your own anecdotes with us at letters@connexionfrance.com
