My son is in high school and is going to be an exchange student in Sweden next year.
Our family background is Swedish. His first name is a typical American name, but his middle name is Swedish, and our last name is Swedish.
For example, John Sture Andersson.
Nobody calls him Sture in the US; people can’t pronounce it. But he has been asking Swedish people who he’s met (so far, as part of the exchange program process) to call him Sture.
Is that weird; if he asks people in Sweden to call him Sture, will Swedes make fun of him or think that his request is bizarre, since he is called John in the US? And is the name “Sture” a nice name?
Thanks.
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The original was posted on /r/sweden by /u/CraftAccomplished784 at 2024-03-27 13:08:14+00:00.
aggesmamma at 2024-03-27 15:11:13+00:00 ID:
kwt5fdi
Sture is such a rad name. I hope your son will love his stay in Sweden 🇸🇪
tipsens at 2024-03-27 14:57:55+00:00 ID:
kwt2hps
I also wants to add that it’s not that uncommon with teenagers who changes their name on regular basis. They have a “boring” name lika Anna and then one day they calls themselves Anastasia or Alexis or something. And they say “My name is Alexis now” and people usually answers “ok”. And that’s that.
They seldom really change their name officially bc that costs money and it’s harder to do. They also often change back to their old name after a while :)
Sekhen at 2024-03-27 15:06:26+00:00 ID:
kwt3mg6
Perfectly normal. My second name is the name people call me by.
In your case, if I was named John Sture Andersson, I present myself as “Sture Andersson” and everyone would call me Sture.
Had it like this for 46 years and no one cares…
abbufreja at 2024-03-27 16:21:55+00:00 ID:
kwthg1g
I Swedish due go by my middle name. Its not uncommon to do so
Expensive_Tap7427 at 2024-03-27 14:30:51+00:00 ID:
kwswtg0
Not at all. I’m Erik Johan and for some reason my parents gave my second (middle) as my given name.
mrbigbucksandmuscles at 2024-03-27 15:10:24+00:00 ID:
kwt4jce
I think it’s weird. It’s true that the order doesn’t matter (i.e. that the first name doesn’t need to be the name that he goes by) but it’s weird that he’s changing it now all of a sudden, having been called the other name for all these years. People in Sweden are gonna see him as an American anyway if he doesn’t speak perfect Swedish so no need to pull out the Swedish name
dwitchagi at 2024-03-27 14:44:43+00:00 ID:
kwszch1
My great uncle is named Sture. Names come back around I guess, but still a bit odd for a kid. I’d wear it with pride, though, as a middle name :)
_ballora_0 at 2024-03-27 14:43:12+00:00 ID:
kwsz4b6
The name “Sture” is a name that’s a bit joke related in Sweden but still very popular. Kinda like the name “Arne”. John is also a pretty popular name in Sweden and there’s even a game called “Följa John”.
bobbylaserbones at 2024-03-27 14:40:59+00:00 ID:
kwsypfa
Why would we give a rats arse about what yanks say in yankeeland? If I meet a Somali named momo I don’t go “BUT WHAT DO THEY CALL YOU IN SOMALIA???”
Rockyshark6 at 2024-03-27 14:12:33+00:00 ID:
kwsuaua
It’s not weird to be called by your middle name, some part of the country it’s even the norm.
However it’s pretty weird to be asked to be called something you’re not usually called.
On top of that Sture is an old man’s name and everything about this screams heritage complex, which is ironic because all Swedes thinks the American “I’m x% and y%” is cringe and no one will see him as Swedish anyhow as he’ll be first and foremost American.
What’s even the reason he wants to go by Sture?
PM_EyeContactNudes at 2024-03-27 14:45:03+00:00 ID:
kwszlen
My interpretation is that he may be playing a bit with identities. Maybe he wants to start anew, as you can do when going on an exchange year, and switching name to a more Swedish one is a way to perhaps assimilate and take on this experience fully.
When I went away for military service I did something similar and voluntarily switched my dialect. Mostly in an effort to fit in i guess. It lasted 2-3 weeks, then I was back to being myself again.
No one else will mind, so let him do as he wants.
Goblinweb at 2024-03-27 15:16:16+00:00 ID:
kwt61i8
If he introduces himself as his middle name that’s what he’s likely to be called.
But Swedes also like pet names so if his name is Karl then he might be called Kalle or if his name is Lars then he might be called Lasse.
kebabmoppepojken at 2024-03-27 15:18:06+00:00 ID:
kwt7a9d
Most likely no one will care if he so chose that ppl call him satan(as long as he ain’t claiming to be from Borlänge. :D )
RandomKnifeBro at 2024-03-27 15:03:57+00:00 ID:
kwt3hol
This is no unreasonable at all. I use my middle name when i speak to people in english or do business in english speaking countries. Because John is the most basic english white guy name and easy to remember. And i use my first name with friends and family and in my home country.
Ratathosk at 2024-03-27 14:52:09+00:00 ID:
kwt1etp
No it’s fine.