Mao smila
August, 26 2026
Where and why
I am still trying to understand why my parents gave my this name. Their answer is always about the
beauty and the brevity of my name, but I don't agree. I like writing it because it’s just three letters, so it’s
easy to spell. Even with the simplicity of the writing, that doesn't stop them from making mistakes. They
mix my first name with my last name, so most of the time at school or for administration my name as
Mila Smila or Mila Smao. In France, this way to write Mao isn’t common. There are three version of
Mahault, Mahaud, Mahauld, so people are lost when I usually spell it. That why they mix and think it’s
my last name.
There is always an interrogation about my name even if it’s not the prononciation or the written, it’s
the origin or the meaning. The next questions after « what’s you name » is « where is it come from ? Are
you Chinese? » People ask about the Chinese origin because Mao is the name of a Chinese dictator Mao
Tse-Tung. It’s also a common name in Japan so people think I am from Asia but absolutely not.
I don’t understand why my parents gave me a dictator’s name even if it’s beautiful. For me, it’s like giving
someone the name Adolf. There are maybe one hundred thousand names, so why choose this one.
If I didn’t know you, i would also think you are Chinese when i see your first name ! It’s a common last name in China.
ReplyDeleteI totally get why u feel that way, but honestly your name is so pretty, short and super easy for everyone to remember!
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought Mao, when u introduce yourself. Anyway, it's fun..
ReplyDeleteI never thought about the dictator Mao, because it sounds a little different in pronunciation.
ReplyDeleteYour name is amazing for me and it is comma that the foreigner can not speak your name right or even with the people who lived in France.
ReplyDelete