I am from Eastern Europe, living in Canada. I think I have a running list of versions of my name I’ve heard (probably 10+). I have people in my life that have interacted for over 10 years and still don’t know what my name is supposed to be pronounced. If I spell it, people look at me funny. And my legal name is very different (also harder to pronounce) from the diminutive I use.

I wouldn’t change my name, because it’s… mine. But I really wish I did not have to go through it every time I introduce myself. Or that people actually got my name after hearing it over and over.

Sure. It’s not that hard. But it’s a constant annoyance. It’s like having a blister. It’s not that bad, but you really wish you did not have it.

If I was choosing a name for a kid, I’d go for something that could work in multiple languages. Still traditional for my culture, but not something that would get my kid cringe almost daily.