雅思口语part 1话题：Names

　　Names

　　Does your name have any special meaning?

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

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

　　How are Chinese names and Western names different?

　　What name do people at home call you?

　　Do many people in China have a nickname?

　　Are there any big differences between peoples names today in China and peoples names many years ago?

　　Do Chinese people like to have common names?

　　Why are some Chinese names very similar to each other?

　　Do Chinese people today usually have a third name?

　　Is your surname very common in China?

　　Whats the most common surname in China?

　　Do Chinese people attach a lot of importance to names?

　　Do people in China ever change their names?

　　Would you like to change your name?

　　Does your name have any special meaning?

　　No it doesnt. To me its just a couple of sounds put together. But ahI know many names were attached a lot of important meanings.

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

　　People have always showed particular concern for the meaning, appearance and sound when they name children. It is expected that a name given by the father or grandfather carries their wish, hope, pursuit, aspiration, generation, etc. This name must be rich in the name-givers wish or intention and it should also be pleasant in form and sound.

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

　　There is no such a tradition in China. It depends on babiesparents. It is a good chance for families to get together and see the lovely new born baby.

　　How are Chinese names and Western names different?

　　Chinese names always tend to have historic or idiomatic meanings in it while Western names sound natural and casual. If they are Christian, they may name their child after someone in the Bible--John, Luke, Simon, Micah, Rebecca, etc. If they are Catholic, they may choose to name their child after a particular saint.

　　What name do people at home call you?

　　Just my name, sometimes my Dad called me son, my mom called me babe as nickname.

　　Do many people in China have a nickname?

　　Most of the people will have a nickname in China. Because they like having the option to use a familiar and affectionate name for someone they are close to.

　　Are there any big differences between peoples names today in China and peoples names many years ago?

　　The most obvious distinct that I know is that names tend to be more diverse and unique these days. There are even some names that contain very uncommon characters now, which can cause a lot of inconvenience for others actually.

　　Do Chinese people like to have common names?

　　No. Everyone wants to be unique and have an unusual name. Im quite happy with my name now. I think its pretty, fairly unique, and sort of formal.

　　Why are some Chinese names very similar to each other?

　　I guess its because that Chinese people prefer a certain range of characters which symbolize special means or some traditional virtues that we value in our culture. For example, when we name a boy, we like to use some words with the meaning of courage, persistence and greatness.

　　Is your surname very common in China?

　　It cant be common anymore. I am sick of my name because it has nothing special. When you walk around the streets and you just hear about 3 girls with the same name.

　　Whats the most common surname in China?

　　The most common Chinese family name in china is ZHAO, WANG and Li.

　　Do Chinese people attach a lot of importance to names?

　　Some parents would choose some Chinese characters which represent a positive meaning as the given name of their kids. Some parents will pick a name that sounds nice.

　　Do people in China ever change their names?

　　Yes, when people get married in the past, or if they dont like their names, or their parents divorced, or they dont like their family... there are many reasons someone would change their names.

　　Would you like to change your name?

　　No. I think a name is just a symbol. Although my name sounds not that girly but it is easy to remember, so I am kind of ok with that.