ABSTRACT

Names are the symbols of members of society, the symbols to differ from each other, and the historical products of human evolution and social development. As a culture carrier, naming implies the information of national language, history, geography, religious and cultural tradition of a nation. Actually, naming system is a kind of cultural phenomenon. This paper will do a study about English majors of 2013 in Foreign Languages Department of Chongqing University of Science & Technology in the following parts: (1) the Chinese names of students in the class in Chinese naming customs; (2) the English names of student in the class in English naming customs; (3) Chinese and English names of students in the class in the naming customs in modern times; (4) Suggestions for English majors and other majors when choosing an English name. 

To study the differences and the reasons why Chinese and English naming customs are quite different could help those who are engaged in a cross cultural situation achieve better comprehension and communication

Key Words: Chinese Names  English Names  Naming Customs   

 Cross-cultural Communication

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-6

1.1 The Purpose and Significance of the Study-6

1.2 Introduction to the Objectives of this Paper-7

Chapter Two Literature Review-8

2.1 Studies on Chinese Naming Custom-8

2.2 Studies on English Naming Custom-9

2.3 Summary-11

Chapter Three Studies on the Chinese and English Names of the Class Based on Naming Customs-12

3.1 The Study on Chinese Names of the Class Based on Chinese Naming Custom-12

3.1.1 Expectation from the Older Generations of a Family-12

3.1.2 Superstition-15

3.1.3 The Time and Weather of the Birthday-16

3.1.4 Place of Birth-17

3.1.5 Influence from Literary Works-17

3.1.6 Gender Characteristics-17

3.1.7 XXX-named Generation-18

3.1.8 Birth Order-18

3.2 The Study on English Names of the Class Based on English Naming Custom-18

3.2.1 Greek and Roman Mythology Figures-18

3.2.2 Nature-19

3.2.3 Career-19

3.3 The Evolvement of Naming Customs in Modern Times-19

3.3.1 The Evolvement of Naming Custom in Chinese Culture in Modern Times-19

3.3.1.1 Father’s Surname adds Mother’s Surname-19

3.3.1.2 Internet Accelerator-20

3.3.2 The Evolvement of Naming Custom in English Culture in Modern Times-20

3.3.2.1 Similar Pronunciation to Chinese Names-20

3.3.2.2 Names Suggested by English Natives-21

3.3.2.3 Character Pattern-22

3.3.2.4 Personal Preference-23

3.3.2.5 Connotation-24

Chapter Four Conclusion-26

BIBLIOGRAPHY-28