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5 South Asians Who Have Anglicized Their Names
After South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's official Republican response to President Obama's State of the Union, many people took to Twitter — not to discuss her political points, but her full name.
Haley's full name is Nimrata Randhawa. Before entering politics, the governor shortened her name to Nikki because her birth name "wouldn't fit on a yard sign." Questions arose about her ethnicity when she identified herself as "white" on her voter registration card in 2001. Some people believe Haley may have a reason to hiding her ethnicity. One reason could be the racism inside the Republican party and the hostility toward minorities.
Some people do choose to anglicize their names to fit in with their North American peers or their chosen career path.
Here are five South Asians who have anglicized their names.
1. Nikki Haley
Photo Credit: www.wikipedia.org
Photo Credit: www.wikipedia.org
The first female governor of South Carolina, although she identifies herself as "white," has appeared on television interviews to call herself a minority whenever it suits her.
2. Kal Penn
Photo Credit: www.buffy.wikia.com
Photo Credit: www.buffy.wikia.com
The Harold and Kumar star was born with the name Kalpen Modi. He anglicized his name on his headshot and résumé after joking with friends about what kind of effect it would have on his career. After changing his name from Kalpen Modi to Kal Penn, he saw audition callbacks rise 50 per cent.
3. Bobby Jindal
Photo Credit: www.newsmax.com
Photo Credit: www.newsmax.com
The son of immigrants from India's Punjab state, Jindal made history when he became the first US governor with roots in India. Formerly known as Piyush Jindal, he gave himself the name Bobby after the youngest son on The Brady Bunch.
4. Gabe Grey
Photo Credit: www.northenstars.ca
Photo Credit: www.northenstars.ca
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Gabe Grey — formally known as Syed Fuad Ahmed — is an actor. He's known for his roles in Bomb Girls: Facing the Enemy and Covert Affairs. The entertainment business is a hard one to get in to, especially for South Asians. That may be his reason for the name change.
5. Sunny Leone
Photo Credit: www.deccanchronicle.com
Before becoming a Bollywood actress and an adult film actress, Sunny was called Karenjit Kaur Vohra. She felt the need to change her name because it wouldn't be suitable for her career as an adult film actress in the United States.
What do you think about anglicized names? Let us know in the comments down below!
Main Image Photo Credit: www.politico.com
Rana Dakakni
Author
Rana is a Journalism graduate from London, Ontario. She is proudly Palestinian but has always had a ever-growing fascination with South Asian culture and her vast knowledge of Bollywood surprises many. She is an eyebrow master and lipstick connoisseur, shameless owner of 200 mauve l...
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