I’ve lost count of how many times my name has been mispronounced, mangled and distorted beyond recognition.

When it first happened, I was terribly upset. After all, a name is an identity which you use to connect yourself to the world and vice versa. How dare people get it wrong?

When it next happened, I took it upon myself to educate the other person the correct pronunciation. All I received were massive apologies in return.

When it happened for the third time, I wondered if it was really that difficult to pronounce. Did Dad give me such an uncommon English name? As far as I know, there’s a very famous singer by the name of Lionel Richie whose hit songs include ‘Say You, Say Me’ and ‘Hello’.

When it happened for the nth time, I gave up. Yes, you got the right guy…just got his name read wrongly that’s all. Besides the name boo-boo, can we proceed with the conversation?

For the record, I’ve been renamed ‘Leon-er’, ‘Leo-nel’, ’Lean-er’, ‘Leonard’ and horror of horrors ’Lynette’! Of all these and more possible permutations, ‘Leon-er’ happens most of the time.

A friend of mine told me to just change my name to ‘Lion’. Maybe I should? Then all of you can hear the lion roar. Actually, it’s no coincidence as a quick search of its roots show that ‘Lionel’ (pronounced LYE-nel) is of Latin origin and its meaning is indeed ‘lion’. Alright, I’m the king of the jungle then. Quickly come pay your respects…

I’m starting to plan for a large scale event next year. As a strategic planner, it always makes sense to start planning early. And here’s where the fun starts as I get renamed over again and again…haha…

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