English names for Chinese people should be chosen carefully to avoid ones that are offensive or hold no meaning at all, says a Chinese state news agency.

Unlike English natives who get stuck with their names regardless of its meaning, Chinese people can choose which English names to use especially when they visit the West.

Like Us on Facebook

On Oct. 19, CCTV News enlisted tips focusing on the "proper" English names to choose, noting that English names "come with different connotations."

According to the news site, examples of "proper traditional names" include those of British royalties including Michael, William, Elizabeth, and Catherine, which are described as fancy yet conservative sounding names.

These safe choices, says the article, imply a "distinct feeling of 'Britishness', or rather, 'Caucasianess'," and often comes with implications that the name's bearer is from a wealthy family.

Names that are not actual names, however, should be avoided because of a potential confusion, especially if a person's English name is an adjective or a word that literally translates to their Chinese name.

Samples given by CCTV include Dragon, Fish, Lawyer, and many others that may gain the bearer of the name "confused or amused looks from foreigners."

Food as names should also be avoided, especially if you wish to work in western corporate companies because they are considered "very suggestive."

"To put bluntly, names like Candy, Lolly, Sugar (think anything sweet), are typically thought of as 'non-smart girl' names, or 'stripper' names," the CCTV news stated.

Basically, the CCTV News article advises against uncommon names and that Chinese people who wish to have an English nickname should consider ones that "come with a 'feeling' or idea about what sort of person you are, and where you come from."

While it is fun to choose funky and rare names, CCTV cautions that a wrong choice could land you some weird stares and make you the center of attention in due to unflattering reasons.

TagsCCTV News, name, English, British