What's In A Name?

My name is Melanie Eusebe.

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I don’t expect people to know how to pronounce my name, but what I do expect is that you will take a turn and try if you don’t know and if it’s incorrect, like every single one of the TV and radio producers that I’ve worked with, ask me how to pronounce my name humbly. Your tongue may trip over the newness of the sound, but no offence is given nor taken. Let me know that you want to get it right out of respect and regard for me.

Besides being similar to famous footballer’s name, my surname Eusebe means Respect and Piety in the Ancient Greek feminine form. And my first name Melanie is the feminine name for blackness (Yes, I laugh at how the Universe works- the name of the Founder of the Black British Business Awards literally means Black Respect??)?

I’ve challenged myself and challenge everyone with non-Anglo origin names, when asked about the pronunciation of our name, gently provide the phonetic version, but also give it honour by explaining what the word means and its beautiful origins. A lesson applied is a lesson not forgotten. Phonetic is good, but application is better, what does your name mean and why is it yours. Do not diminish yourself or your background into a small box, you come from a rich history and your name is a representation of you. Its literally your brand presented to the world.?

And on the other side, if you don’t know how to pronounce the name, I challenge you to humbly say, ‘I don’t know how to pronounce your name and I want to get it right, can you help me?’ It really is that simple.

With Diversity Inclusion, we need to get comfortable with not knowing, and what’s critical is that you ask, rather than glossing over my name as if it’s unimportant.?

?Learning how to say one’s name indicates that you have respect for the person you are speaking with. It also stealthily indicates that you will be speaking to them long term, rather than you are anticipating having a short-term transactional relationship. You may think that it’s not that serious but ponder this…

?Would you dare continuously mispronounce a client’s name, your boss’ name or some other senior figure in your life? Most likely no, you wouldn’t, because fundamentally it speaks to the power they have in your lives. So, when thinking about name pronunciation, treat everyone the same and let us not utilise our power or privilege to diminish that of another’s.