Why Correctly Pronouncing Names Matters

Early in my career, a younger colleague of color provided me with an important piece of feedback. After I remarked that someone’s name was difficult to pronounce, she pointed out that such comments can come across as insensitive, if not racially biased. Upon reflection, I realized she was absolutely right.

In today’s world, where the number of diverse voices in our personal and professional lives continues to grow, the way we approach and respect others’ identities—including their names—matters immensely. With the presidential election now in full swing, I often find myself correcting the pronunciation of Kamala Harris's name. Many people still struggle with it, despite the simple cheat sheet her nieces shared at the Democratic convention: "comma" + "la." Her political opponents regularly mispronounce her name, sometimes intentionally, which is not ok. Learning to pronounce someone's name correctly is a basic form of respect that we are all capable of extending.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of visiting Morocco on vacation. While there, I took time to connect with residents about their culture and language. Whether sitting with women to learn about their lives or hiking in the Atlas Mountains with a local guide, my sister and I made a genuine effort to understand the Arabic alphabet and pronunciations. It was humbling to realize that while languages like Arabic don’t even have certain English sounds, such as “p” or “v,” they have learned to speak English. Surely, we can do the same when it comes to learning and respecting names from different cultures in all aspects of our lives.

We live in a beautifully diverse world. It is our responsibility to honor that diversity in every aspect, including how we address one another. As for me, I’m committed to doing better and will continue to correct the pronunciation of Kamala’s name—and anyone else's--whether in conversation with parents at PTSO meetings or clients in communities across the country. It truly matters.