Coworker Insists on Misspelling My Name in Emails- WWYD?

[Anonymous]

"Samir Nagashiiiii... naga... naga... not gonna work here anymore anyway"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Samir Nagashiiiii... naga... naga... not gonna work here anymore anyway"

[Anonymous]

The child in me says misspell that person's name. Is it Cherie, Sherie, Sheree, Chery? Joe or Jo? John or John?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would talk to her in person about it.

FWIW, my name is (something like) Bailey and I have a pretty senior person on my team who spells it Baileigh EVERY TIME. I've worked with her for 7 years. It does annoy me. But then I realized she is from another country where that spelling is more common. It doesn't sound likely in your case, but maybe she knows someone with a similar name and it is spelled that way, so her brain just always goes to that.

I have a name that has two spellings -- my name has the less common spelling. I'm not surprised when people spell it wrong in emails. I could care less, and I don't take it personally. I just think that they don't pay attention and that it's innocent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The child in me says misspell that person's name. Is it Cherie, Sherie, Sheree, Chery? Joe or Jo? John or John?

i love your petty

this sounds like something my husband would do.

[Anonymous]

I'm Sara and often get Sarah. It bugged me in elementary school (really sucked never finding a pencil or barrette with my name spelled right) but as an adult, I really don't care. At all. Sure, it's rude of the person to always spell your name wrong, but in the grand scheme of things it's really not a big deal. Global warming and starving families are a big deal, how a random coworker spells your name isn't. If it ever comes to a point where you really don't know who she's referring to (me Sara or Sarah from the other department) then bring it up, but as long as you know she is talking about you, let it go. If she does it in front of a client, correct it to the client and turn it into a little joke or amusing anecdote.

[Anonymous]

I'm Nita and emails are often addressed to Nina. All the damn time. Even when my email address is [e-mail] or whatever.

It's right there in the email address. Some people catch themselves and apologize, but there was one guy I worked with who did it every damn time. Even called me that in meetings. I gave up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure. Also, correct her with the "reply all" function.

I wouldn't appreciate being drawn into that conflict. To me this would be unprofessional, and it would make me uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should just pick an easier western name, many of my colleges do this. It's also much easier w/ clients.

Why should I change my name because one person decides to spell it incorrectly via email when I have a signature and she can copy and paste it?

I have never experienced this ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm Sara and often get Sarah. It bugged me in elementary school (really sucked never finding a pencil or barrette with my name spelled right) but as an adult, I really don't care. At all. Sure, it's rude of the person to always spell your name wrong, but in the grand scheme of things it's really not a big deal. Global warming and starving families are a big deal, how a random coworker spells your name isn't. If it ever comes to a point where you really don't know who she's referring to (me Sara or Sarah from the other department) then bring it up, but as long as you know she is talking about you, let it go. If she does it in front of a client, correct it to the client and turn it into a little joke or amusing anecdote.

Same story, different name but mine was also mispronounced because it was, at the time, uncommon. As a kid it bothered me a lot which is probably why I am sensitive to it as an adult and always make sure I know kids names. I ignore it now, doesn't bother me. It's rude and insensitive but many people are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would talk to her in person about it.

FWIW, my name is (something like) Bailey and I have a pretty senior person on my team who spells it Baileigh EVERY TIME. I've worked with her for 7 years. It does annoy me. But then I realized she is from another country where that spelling is more common. It doesn't sound likely in your case, but maybe she knows someone with a similar name and it is spelled that way, so her brain just always goes to that.

OP here. No, it's not a similar situation. She is literally just spelling my name phonetically because I think it's "easier" for her to do. Similar to spelling Barack "Burrock"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should just pick an easier western name, many of my colleges do this. It's also much easier w/ clients.

Are we talking a name like Seamus or a Chinese name like Yuanxu?

OP how hard is your name to spell/pronounce? Seamus or Yuanxu?

I'd say that in terms of spelling, it is as difficult to spell as Isaiah, but as easy to pronounce is Lisa.

[Anonymous]

My best friend has been spelling my son's name incorrectly with an ie instead of a y. No bad intentions, just clueless stupidity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The child in me says misspell that person's name. Is it Cherie, Sherie, Sheree, Chery? Joe or Jo? John or John?

I was soooo tempted to do this, but it did feel childish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would talk to her in person about it.

FWIW, my name is (something like) Bailey and I have a pretty senior person on my team who spells it Baileigh EVERY TIME. I've worked with her for 7 years. It does annoy me. But then I realized she is from another country where that spelling is more common. It doesn't sound likely in your case, but maybe she knows someone with a similar name and it is spelled that way, so her brain just always goes to that.

OP here. No, it's not a similar situation. She is literally just spelling my name phonetically because I think it's "easier" for her to do. Similar to spelling Barack "Burrock"

That is so rude. I don't have any advice other than keep correcting her. I'd correct her with every email. I have a name that is often misspelled (along the Sara/Sarah lines) even though it is in my email address and email signature. I don't correct usually that, but in your case I would. As a PP said, I do, however, think a bit less of people who cannot spell my name right even though it appears multiple times in my emails.