Correct way of writing out Indian name
Discussion
Looking for a bit of help so I don't muck this up.
I'm writing an article involving an Indian guy and I'm not sure how to write his name properly.
When writing British names, we use name in full in the first instance, then use only the surname in later references:
"Joe Watson is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Watson joined the company he ..."
So how should i do it for someone called Khasim Meera Sheik? For a start, sometimes on social media he is referred to as Khasim Meera, so is "Sheik" a title or qualification or similar, and not part of his name?
Which would be right/better?
A: Khasim Meera Sheik is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Sheik joined the company he...
B: Khasim Meera is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Meera joined the company he....
C: Khasim Meera is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Khasim joined the company he....
I'm writing an article involving an Indian guy and I'm not sure how to write his name properly.
When writing British names, we use name in full in the first instance, then use only the surname in later references:
"Joe Watson is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Watson joined the company he ..."
So how should i do it for someone called Khasim Meera Sheik? For a start, sometimes on social media he is referred to as Khasim Meera, so is "Sheik" a title or qualification or similar, and not part of his name?
Which would be right/better?
A: Khasim Meera Sheik is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Sheik joined the company he...
B: Khasim Meera is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Meera joined the company he....
C: Khasim Meera is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Khasim joined the company he....
bristolbaron said:
Do you both work for the company? Can’t you call him and check how he’d prefer it written?
No, I'm just the writer for a report he is mentioned in. I don't know the guy at all, just don't want to misname him. The "sheik" bit confused me too, as obviously it is a title in arabic names, but I've never seen it in an Indian name before and don't know whether it is a title, a name, or a miscommunication.
you're better off just asking him.
there is so much variation between regions and religions and that's before personal preference comes in. some who reject the caste system will not use their family name for example.
my OH, who rejects the caste system, does something completely different, but at least has the good sense to have her linkedin in the format by which she wants to be addressed.
there is so much variation between regions and religions and that's before personal preference comes in. some who reject the caste system will not use their family name for example.
my OH, who rejects the caste system, does something completely different, but at least has the good sense to have her linkedin in the format by which she wants to be addressed.
boyse7en said:
No, I'm just the writer for a report he is mentioned in. I don't know the guy at all, just don't want to misname him.
The "sheik" bit confused me too, as obviously it is a title in arabic names, but I've never seen it in an Indian name before and don't know whether it is a title, a name, or a miscommunication.
its a title that became a name. like smith or miller. still a fair few about in the north. The "sheik" bit confused me too, as obviously it is a title in arabic names, but I've never seen it in an Indian name before and don't know whether it is a title, a name, or a miscommunication.
he's not very googleable is he, which does suggest he doesn't go by that moniker.
shirt said:
you're better off just asking him.
there is so much variation between regions and religions and that's before personal preference comes in. some who reject the caste system will not use their family name for example.
my OH, who rejects the caste system, does something completely different, but at least has the good sense to have her linkedin in the format by which she wants to be addressed.
I can't believe that in this day and age they are still dicking about with the caste system. there is so much variation between regions and religions and that's before personal preference comes in. some who reject the caste system will not use their family name for example.
my OH, who rejects the caste system, does something completely different, but at least has the good sense to have her linkedin in the format by which she wants to be addressed.
D
Khasim Meera Sheik is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Khasim joined the company he....
Also the surname is a generalisation - if its not one you made up - to signify that he is Muslim.
Aka ethnic surname. Very common. Although its (maybe) missing the h off the end, but again thats common and many variations anyway.
So I would not use it in isolation like Smith for example.
Its not likely you will upset an Indian by using their name "wrong". Lots and lots of Indians don't even use their real names.
Just my 2 paisas....
Khasim Meera Sheik is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Khasim joined the company he....
Also the surname is a generalisation - if its not one you made up - to signify that he is Muslim.
Aka ethnic surname. Very common. Although its (maybe) missing the h off the end, but again thats common and many variations anyway.
So I would not use it in isolation like Smith for example.
Its not likely you will upset an Indian by using their name "wrong". Lots and lots of Indians don't even use their real names.
Just my 2 paisas....
boyse7en said:
Which would be right/better?
A: Khasim Meera Sheik is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Sheik joined the company he...
B: Khasim Meera is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Meera joined the company he....
C: Khasim Meera is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Khasim joined the company he....
I'd go with C to be safe - that is his given first name.A: Khasim Meera Sheik is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Sheik joined the company he...
C: Khasim Meera is a great asset to CorpTech. Since Khasim joined the company he....
(of Indian heritage and annoys me when people address an email to me using my surname (without a prefix).
I've even got my name on the footer of a mail....
shirt said:
s
t like that takes generations to die out even when the opposing view is the majority.
Debatable whether it even is the majority view.
It’s also an excellent tool for divide and rule politics.
Like any other systemic advantage those who benefit from it will probably deny any advantage exists whilst doing everything they can to ensure the status quo remains.
Debatable whether it even is the majority view.
It’s also an excellent tool for divide and rule politics.
Cupid-stunt said:
I'd go with C to be safe - that is his given first name.
(of Indian heritage and annoys me when people address an email to me using my surname (without a prefix).
I've even got my name on the footer of a mail....
I get exactly the same - as you probably know it's because Outlook (for some unknown reason) swicthes the first name and surname around on the email header.(of Indian heritage and annoys me when people address an email to me using my surname (without a prefix).
I've even got my name on the footer of a mail....
I used to work with a girl called Claire Hannah. She'd go ballistic if somebody emailed back calling her Hannah

Cotty said:
I can't believe that in this day and age they are still dicking about with the caste system.
Why not? The UK is still dicking about with the class system and other linked discrimination e.g. accents happen to be in the news today - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyjdyj729roDP14 said:
Cotty said:
I can't believe that in this day and age they are still dicking about with the caste system.
Why not? The UK is still dicking about with the class system and other linked discrimination e.g. accents happen to be in the news today - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyjdyj729roDP14 said:
Cotty said:
I can't believe that in this day and age they are still dicking about with the caste system.
Why not? The UK is still dicking about with the class system and other linked discrimination e.g. accents happen to be in the news today - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyjdyj729roGassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff