1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Insurance
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat
  • Success Stories
  • TOEFL Testing

Name Calling Is … Not Bad?

Name Calling Is … Not Bad?

Nov 22, 2022

Names and Cultural Differences Between Filipinos and Americans

They say the sweetest thing you can call someone is by their given name. That’s probably not the case for Filipinos though. We have so many names for everything. It’s kind of known for us to create pet names for everything with pre-existing pet names. Though it is very sweet to remember someone’s name and even call them by that name, in my culture, a lot of times we think it means you did something wrong and you’re in trouble. 

All the names I’ve been called

Personally, I don’t have many names for myself. When I was a wee babe, my father used to call me “Bo,” a pretty odd one for a little girl, right? It gets worse. It’s actually short for bulate which means “worm” in Tagalog. They said I was a very hyper baby, falling off of the bed in the middle of the night and crawling under it, worrying my father the next morning thinking he lost me magically. 

As it turns out I am a very “motor-skilled” person. It aged well, me being a tennis player and all that. High school came, and I was known as “Obra,” my last name. I’ve been told it’s a very unique one too, and despite having an unusual name, I learned to love the distinction. Otherwise I’m just known as “Alaine.”

Store

Showing respect with names

We Filipinos use a lot of formalities on a daily basis. You can call someone as if they were your relative based primarily on the age of that person. For instance, the random lady selling at the mini store? We call her ate — it means older sister. Your dad’s old classmate back in the military? You guessed it, we call him tito — which means uncle. If you don’t do that and you call yourself a Filipino, are you really though? 

Besides this, we also use “po” and “opo” in our sentences. They’re filler words that you use to show respect to any person. Like asking someone “how are you” would be, “Kamusta ka?” But with all formalities it would be “Kamusta ka po?” 

The formalities of names

In school, it has been ingrained in us to be polite especially to people of authority over us. Or just being polite in general. As children we have been taught to refer to teachers as ma’am, sir, and me studying at a nun-run school, sister. And it would always be on a last-name basis. That stuck with me all throughout my school years, and I probably still have that habit to this day.

Class Picture

After becoming an F-1 international student in the United States, I still call my teachers professors. It came as a huge shock to me that they actually prefer to be called by their first names. What sacrilege, I know, right? Even in the emails I wrote to apply for work I would use formalities to address people, until I was told to be less formal.

Names in my family

We all know how family is the one unit where the power hierarchy exists indefinitely. At least in the Philippines. Not only do we have to use the perfect word for that position in the family and the extra filler words for respect, but we also have to do the mano: taking the hand of the person and touching its back to your forehead. This is one tradition a lot of boomers are sad to lose, and I feel the same way. It’s slowly being replaced by beso: small cheek-to-cheek “kiss.” 

Names in American families

Now, school I understood, but family too? Apparently in the United States, even family members are naturally called by their first names. “Hey Tina, I’m with Alaine,” my friend announces as we enter their house with a look of horror on my face. So naturally, I whisper in response, “Isn’t she your aunt?” That’s when it hit me that it’s completely the norm.

What names I’m going to use

This is definitely one of the million things that shocked me after living in the United States. And as it turns out, calling people by their given name is normal and sometimes, using formalities is too formal. I think there should be a balance though, sticking to my roots regarding this matter wouldn’t make me too different. Plus, people feel better when they’re respected, so why not?


Alaine Obra from the Philippines is studying for an associate’s degree in computer science at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada.
Follow us:
Written by

Alaine Obra

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the blog post titled American Experience Club — UW Huskies vs Utah Utes
American Experience Club — UW Huskies vs Utah Utes
Main image for the blog post titled Rise Up to the Challenge
Rise Up to the Challenge
Main image for the blog post titled Visiting Mount Rainier with Green River College
Visiting Mount Rainier with Green River College
Main image for the blog post titled A Day in the Life: A Bookseller and International Student at HCC
A Day in the Life: A Bookseller and International Student at HCC
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Evergreen Valley College

Evergreen Valley College

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Undergraduate Bachelor Degree
Contact
Hillsborough Community College

Hillsborough Community College

$10,000 — $15,000 Year

Undergraduate 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Bachelor Degree
Contact
San Jose City College

San Jose City College

$10,000 — $15,000 Semester

Certificate/Short Term 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Undergraduate
Contact

Related Stories

Find Pride and Purpose at Hofstra University

Main image for the article titled Find Pride and Purpose at Hofstra University
Find Passion and Purpose at the University of Findlay

Main image for the article titled Find Passion and Purpose at the University of Findlay
Find Passion and Purpose at the University of South Carolina

Main image for the article titled Find Passion and Purpose at the University of South Carolina

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Education Insurance Plans in partnership with InsureMyTrip offers customized travel insurance plans for International Students traveling to the US for educational purposes.

Education Insurance Plans in partnership with InsureMyTrip offers...

These plans provide refund insurance coverage for program costs in the event the student has to interrupt their trip for unforeseen covered reasons and withdraw from the program. We offer plans that are available to both K-12 and College Students.

Read more
Partner service logo for A world of greater possibility.

A world of greater possibility.

Follow your dreams with the TOEFL iBT® test, which has helped millions of students study abroad.

Read more
Partner service logo for Morning Brew

Morning Brew

BECOME SMARTER IN JUST 5 MINUTES. Get the daily email that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.

Read more

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Insurance
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • TOEFL Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    English العربيـة Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.