Like many Asian Americans, Marian Liu has long spurned her full name.
Her experience reporting on the increase in anti-Asian sentiment and violence made her realize she needed to stop hiding. And her name was a good place to start.
Many Chinese names are made up of three characters: the family name, followed by a name that is shared with one's generation, then the individual name.
These names show not only the ties to family and history, but how Chinese people put them first. https://wapo.st/3GlqCER
Liu's last name is pronounced “LEE-ō” (柳) and means “willow tree.”
Her mom’s maiden name is Ling (林), meaning “forest,” and together with her dad’s last name, they represent a beautiful partnership. https://wapo.st/3GlqCER
Liu wants her name to tell her whole story. She's going to start by telling folks she has a Chinese name and how to properly pronounce her last name.
Let her reintroduce herself as Marian Chia-Ming Liu: https://wapo.st/3GlqCER
Names can be potent symbols that evoke pride, but also bigotry, shame and fear.
Did you feel the need to Anglicize your name to fit in? Or did you choose to use your given name? Share your name journey here: https://wapo.st/3eZzS58