WHY POLISH PEOPLE DON'T USE THEIR NATIVE FIRST NAME WHEN ABROAD?

I have noticed that, most of the time, polish people don't use their "real" name when they are out of Poland. For example, Pavel converted into Paul, Bastek = Sebatian, Paulina = Pauline, Basha = Barbara... It's not too difficult to pronounce so...
ARE YOU ASHAMED OF YOUR POLISH NAMES? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE IT SOUND MORE... MORE CIVILIZED?

No...

civilized? we're not that insecure.
I guess it's just because we're used to foreingers not being able to pronounce Polish words.
However, the names you've mentioned are international. I guess Bogusława or Władysław wouldn't have a choice but to leave their names as they are.

Because after some time you get tired of correcting people how to say your name and you just make it simpler for everybody and for yourself.

let me start with this: F U.

i still use my real polish name even though peeps have a problem pronouncing it.. it is what it is and i'll keep it, thank you.

I use my native first name and I don't care how difficult it is for some people. It is my REAL name.

yup.. i cam up with a little jingle or a rhyme and now none can foget it. :)

these examples are funny :)
Sebastian and Barbara are official names, in Polish, Basia is a very popular diminuitive (Bastek isn't), but when I introduce myself to a stranger I use the formal name, as most people do in Poland, diminuitive forms are mostly used by family, friends or people who know you at least a bit.

And I have no problem with my name, but foreigners do :)

right, and if it's a problem for some it should remain their problem instead of becoming your problem.

go ahead and pronounce Przemysław,
When i introduce myself and hear "HUH??" i just say "forget it".
Thats why everyone knows me by my nickname not my first name.

People do not have problem with saying my first name which is Ania but they always spell it Anya.... Come on!!!!

I found that some of the Poles I have worked with introduced themselves as Derek, Pete or Jerry,
only to end up being called Darek, Piotrek and Jurek.
The natives here can have odd enough names as it is.

Hi that's a lovely name my gran was called Aniela do all female names in polish end in a?

That was a quote for Ania.

yep..first names anyway...

It's strange that out of all the Polish people I know, it's only the men who give themselves "nicknames". All the girls use their real ones (and there are some tricky ones) but the guys introduce themselves by their "nicks".

My name is simple but still mispronounced and spelled incorrectly often.

99% does

1% are male names that are sometimes used by females, very old custom.

So often, you instantly sense the uneasiness with which they use their adopted names.


Mine is a Scottish/Irish name. Usually spelt wrongly.
It ends with an 'r' which is not usually pronounced in English.
Polish people nearly always pronounce the 'r' (which sounds nice),
probably because with a neutral mid-vowel, it sounds too much like an 'a' at the end.
I'm not saying any more.

Hi polskadoll hope you dont mind me asking what is your first name?

I don't mind you asking but I don't really want to say. It's not a Polish name anyway, it's Italian! :)

lol sorry thought it was for some reason what am I like : 0 )

I know two guys called 'Marcin' who introduce themselves as 'Martin'. I've heard many others.

Don't worry. My name is a popular English name nowadays but it's origins are Italian (wonder how many people actually know that!). I dont think it's got any Polish connections.

Thank you.

you realize it has nothing to do with Ania?
Ania is a very popular diminuitive form of Anna, while Aniela is corresponding to (Italian/Spanish) Angela (anioł = angel, but we don't use this word as a male name, only for angels from heaven and it is also a surname, just not given name)

i haven't changed my name. it is still Witek/ Witold and this causes me some difficulty because most Canucks don't know how to pronounce my name and/or think i am named after the honda engine (vtec). even if i was to change my name there is no English translation of Witek like Victor. so i am stuck with my name Witek and most of my friends to simplify the matter call me V or Vito.

img_2071tablica.jpg

Well, yes...I do have english version, but i did not do it for me. I did it for You.
I hate my name butchered.

me too, how hard is it for someone to say Jon right? :D

LoL...and how do you pronounce it, "John" or "Yon" ? ;p

no, actually these are the Americanized versions.. or english versions.. and so
for you to actually pronounce them they have to say them in english so your
brain can actually process the vowels!!! if you have a brain.. usually people with
brains can process things and not ask questions like these so please let us know
if there is anything we can do to help you along..