It doesn't take a genius to know that Nick, as a nickname is short for Nicholas. Ed is the common handle for Edward, John for Jonathan, Jen or Jenny for Jennifer, and Mary for Marilyn and so on. In most instances, these nicknames are shortened versions of formal names.

In my childhood, none of our parents would have accepted us giving ourselves nicknames that reflected street life characters, hoodlums or thugs. And even if we had such names as: Slick, Slim, Shooter, Animal, or Fat Albert, we knew that these names were for those within our close circle of familiarity, and not appropriate information for completing job application forms or formal introductions.

My advice is that if one is bent on having an English name, or handle, make sure that it is close to one's original Chinese name in sound, and the meaning should be heavily associated with sound, with less emphasis on nature and simplicity. Successfully meeting anyone for the first time, whether for a job opportunity, or other important social connections, is likely to not fare well if one's opening salutation is "Nice to meet you, my name is Juice, Knife, or Killer!"

To start an important interview with, "Hello, my name is Animal…." is surely not to start you off on the right foot, after the shock or laughter subsides. Also, it might be a good idea to not give yourself a number as an identifier, unless you are from an exceedingly large family and your number represents a designated place in the food line.

The Boy Named Sue ballad ends with the boy meeting his real father much later in life, after having undergone many difficulties largely due to his name, and the responses being named Sue engendered. Clearly, the lesson from the song is that a name can cause people to perceive and react in ways that are often invoked by the name itself. A name is an important identifier, and successful businesses invest many resources to obtain the optimum "handle" or brand identifier. Serious, mature consideration might be a good path to follow when choosing a personal English formal name or nickname.

The writer is an American living in Changchun