Polish teen terrorized because others can't pronounce name!

Dear Abby: My name is Polish, and few people pronounce it correctly

By  Abigail Van Buren, Chicago Tribune

May 26, 2024, 6:00am CDT

DEAR ABBY: I am a 14-year-old first-generation Polish American with a very Polish family. I don’t have a lot of issues, but I just changed schools, and nobody cares enough to learn how to pronounce my name, including the teachers.

I was named after a family member and the name has a lot of history, so my parents don’t want to Americanize it. But correcting people with no results is getting tiring. What started as a small issue now has me feeling split between my Polish and American identities.

Is it worth it to disappoint my parents to make it a little easier? — AGNIESZKA IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR AGNIESZKA: What would be worth it would be to explain to your teachers and friends the history behind your name. Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” In this case, there’s a whole LOT behind your name, including the memory of a woman who was much loved by your family. That fact is worthy of respect. If your teachers don’t get it, perhaps your parents can explain it to them.

P.S. Agnieszka is a beautiful name. Phonetically it sounds like Ann-YES-ka, which has a musical quality. Many people have nicknames, and if your peers choose one you like, so be it.