New Agent - Should I Americanize My Name?

Tampa, Florida
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New Agent - Should I Americanize My Name?

Sapir Simply
Real Estate Agent · Clearwater, FL · Member since 2018 · 3 posts · 13 votes

Hi everyone!

So my question is pretty straightforward. I am a new Real Estate agent and I wonder if I should Americanize my name to gain that initial connection with clients? A lot of people have difficulties pronouncing and remembering my name, and I wonder if I would have more success if I use a more common name. I do go by Sophie sometimes, but it is not my legal name. I wanted to reach out to you guys and see if I can get any inside insights. I want to establish my name and brand in the real estate field and thought I should decide now whether I am going to go with my legal name or a nickname. Quick background on me, I am originally from Israel and moved to FL about 6 years ago. My name means Sapphire in Hebrew, I like it a lot but wouldn't mind having other people call me by a different name if it significantly improves my business. Thank you all!

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Terrell Garren
Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
4y

You can call me Betty if you pay your rent on time and take care of my property. 

14Reply
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  • Shaun Weekes
    Loan Officer / Processor / Life & Health Agent · Rancho Cucamonga, CA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 757 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Sapir Simply:

    Hi everyone!

    So my question is pretty straightforward. I am a new Real Estate agent and I wonder if I should Americanize my name to gain that initial connection with clients? A lot of people have difficulties pronouncing and remembering my name, and I wonder if I would have more success if I use a more common name. I do go by Sophie sometimes, but it is not my legal name. I wanted to reach out to you guys and see if I can get any inside insights. I want to establish my name and brand in the real estate field and thought I should decide now whether I am going to go with my legal name or a nickname. Quick background on me, I am originally from Israel and moved to FL about 6 years ago. My name means Sapphire in Hebrew, I like it a lot but wouldn't mind having other people call me by a different name if it significantly improves my business. Thank you all!

    You don't need to change your name.  On your business card just add Sophie or Sapphire and you're good.  
    4Reply
  • Nate Sanow
    I​nvestor & Agent · Tulsa, OK · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    It’s your call.  But, your name is awesome.  It could be a type of attraction that some people will have to work with you.  Being your true, authentic self, is super cool, nothing to feel like you have to hide.  Just my thoughts.  

    14Reply
  • Tommy Parker
    Property Manager · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2022 · 269 posts · 135 votes
    4y

    I think being your authentic self is the best way. Don't change your name, in my opinion! 

    8Reply
  • Mose Gebremeskel
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 233 posts · 142 votes
    4y

    @Sapir Simply I had to change my name from Moses to Mose. For most my life I went by Moses cause it was easier for Americans to pronounce but for the last two years, I went by my Ethiopian name Mose (which is Moses in English), and found that being authentically myself was the best option. Sometimes it is hard re-explaining my name to people but it's worth it. Hope that helps.

    10Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

    @Sapir Simply

    I would definitely Americanize it. We supposedly live in a new, enlightened era, where people are not judged on their name, their color, their creed, being bald, fat, etc. This is completely untrue, in my experience. Scratch your typical Anglo-American type and watch the prejudices flow out in a torrent. If you're in any job that involves selling anything and ingratiating yourself to anyone, authenticity plays a distant fourth to likeability, likeability, likeability, in that order, and people like people who are like them, especially in Anglo-American culture.

    11Reply
  • Steven Caldwell
    Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2019 · 58 posts · 44 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Sapir Simply:

    Hi everyone!

    So my question is pretty straightforward. I am a new Real Estate agent and I wonder if I should Americanize my name to gain that initial connection with clients? A lot of people have difficulties pronouncing and remembering my name, and I wonder if I would have more success if I use a more common name. I do go by Sophie sometimes, but it is not my legal name. I wanted to reach out to you guys and see if I can get any inside insights. I want to establish my name and brand in the real estate field and thought I should decide now whether I am going to go with my legal name or a nickname. Quick background on me, I am originally from Israel and moved to FL about 6 years ago. My name means Sapphire in Hebrew, I like it a lot but wouldn't mind having other people call me by a different name if it significantly improves my business. Thank you all!


     Do you have a nickname that you go by? Put that on Your business card too and tell clients to call you that. Your name is your name. And it’s a good name at that. Shouldn’t need to be changed. But that’s just my opinion. 

    2Reply
  • Terrell Garren
    Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    4y

    You can call me Betty if you pay your rent on time and take care of my property. 

    14Reply
  • Nicole Heasley Beitenman
    Investor · Youngstown, OH · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Jim K.:

    @Sapir Simply

    I would definitely Americanize it. We supposedly live in a new, enlightened era, where people are not judged on their name, their color, their creed, being bald, fat, etc. This is completely untrue, in my experience. Scratch your typical Anglo-American type and watch the prejudices flow out in a torrent. If you're in any job that involves selling anything and ingratiating yourself to anyone, authenticity plays a distant fourth to likeability, likeability, likeability, in that order, and people like people who are like them, especially in Anglo-American culture.

    Jumped on here to see if anyone else was going to say this. I really wish I could disagree, but prejudice and racism run rampant in our country. Studies have proven how that bias affects those with ethnic names seeking employment. The region you're working in will also play a role in how easy it will be to build a business without Americanizing your name. I am not saying you should or shouldn't; if you decide this is a hurtle you're willing to overcome, then I hope you slay it. But if you just want to push it aside, going by Sophie is probably the route to take. 

    5Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    No. Use your given name and be proud of it. It can be a real identifier for you and set you apart from all the typical American names. If you lose a couple of morons because they don't like cool names, then you didn't want them anyway.

    My wife is 100% American but has a unique name from her families past....it works to her advantage, not her detriment....

    I don't know where you'd have to go in the US to have this be a problem....

    5Reply
  • Adam Greene
    Real Estate Agent · Stilwell, OK · Member since 2013 · 53 posts · 23 votes
    4y

    I know you are a new agent but this is an important lesson and worth learning from the start. Be your best authentic self.  The clients who do work with you will love you. Your rep will grow and your brand will have value even if nobody ever pronounces your name correctly. Also don’t work with *** holes who won’t work with you because of your name.  Unless your name is *** hole then maybe you should consider changing it. 

    7Reply
  • Steve K.
    Realtor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    @Sapir Simply unfortunately I’m afraid @Jim K. is correct. As much as I love your name, I would go by Sophie. I wouldn’t have said this a few weeks ago, by the way. But having witnessed 3 blatant cases of discrimination against people because of their names recently, I’ve seen how much of a disadvantage it can be to have a minority-sounding name in the American marketplace. Very few non-minorities really get it. But how would they actually know? If they’re like me and have rarely been discriminated against because of their name or their skin, then they probably just have no clue. These recent experiences opened up my eyes to how discriminatory this country still is, sadly.

    6Reply
  • Ann-Marie Vargas
    Realtor · San Diego · Member since 2017 · 32 posts · 10 votes
    4y

    @Sapir Simply

    Keep it as Sapir it’s lovely!

    ממש יפה !!

    3Reply
  • Malida Suong
    New to Real Estate · NH/MA · Member since 2016 · 19 posts · 12 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Sapir Simply:

    Hi everyone!

    So my question is pretty straightforward. I am a new Real Estate agent and I wonder if I should Americanize my name to gain that initial connection with clients? A lot of people have difficulties pronouncing and remembering my name, and I wonder if I would have more success if I use a more common name. I do go by Sophie sometimes, but it is not my legal name. I wanted to reach out to you guys and see if I can get any inside insights. I want to establish my name and brand in the real estate field and thought I should decide now whether I am going to go with my legal name or a nickname. Quick background on me, I am originally from Israel and moved to FL about 6 years ago. My name means Sapphire in Hebrew, I like it a lot but wouldn't mind having other people call me by a different name if it significantly improves my business. Thank you all!

    @Sapir Simply I agree with @Adam Greene  in that unless your name is something derogatory or slang in English, I’m on the side of not changing it. My name has been mispronounced almost all the time, sometimes with additional consonants, to Americanize it. I don’t take offense. But I do correct them. You can add the nickname to your business card and/or introduce self as Sophie in your professional life. However it is based on how you feel and your individual experience. 

    2Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    Just gotta add......

    Sapir Simply is one of the coolest names I've ever heard. 

    So many people will remember that name! Don't give in, don't compromise.....

    2Reply
  • Rodney Woodruff
    Rental Property Investor · Cumming, GA · Member since 2022 · 10 posts · 2 votes
    4y

    @Bruce Woodruff I totally agree. I will definitely recognize Miss Simply's name if I should come across it again. You sir have an awesome name as well.

    2Reply
  • Chris John
    Member since 2020 · 671 posts · 937 votes
    4y

    Here's a vote for keeping your awesome name and ignoring any negativity associated with even considering the change.  Without question, there is enough of a market for you if you're talented.  Would you really want to work with the odd racist for a little extra money anyway?  Be so good that people have to accept you for who you are and let ignorant idiots fall away.

    Best wishes with whatever you choose.

    3Reply
  • Chris John
    Member since 2020 · 671 posts · 937 votes
    4y

    @Mose Gebremeskel  Your name is sick!  Seriously, I can't tell you how much I dig that name! 

    3Reply
  • Vaughan Moody
    Rental Property Investor · Corona, CA · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 7 votes
    4y

    @Sapir Simply Hi. I read in a biography that early in his career, Arnold Schwarzenegger considered changing his name to Arnold Strong, to make it easier to remember and/or easier to say. Then he realized that unique names are actually easier to remember than common names. It worked out well for him. So, based on that, I suggest not changing your name.

    1Reply
  • Jan Lee
    Property Manager · Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 3 votes
    4y

    Sapir is actually a very cool name! It sounds like Sapphire. 

    When I first came to America I was going by Janette. I had heavy accent and I was a tele-marketer with Sears (go figure!), I was responding to angry people calling. Because they were already angry they were not very nice with how my name was Janette (spelling and the way I pronounced it), so to make it easy on people I shortened it to "Jan" and I pretty much adopted that name until now. I changed my name due to my situation at that time. 

    Yet in my opinion you do not need to change your name, people will remember you and your name based on the relationship you built.

    1Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    4y

    I've found doubling down on authentic marketing to work much better than trying to move into a more neutral zone. What I mean by this is many people in your situation think "I should change my name so I appeal to more people who are unfamiliar with people like me."

    That's a mistake in thinking. Instead of trying to be one of many who may moderately appeal to a lot of potential clients, you want to be the one that really stands out to a specific target audience. Really double down on that so that target audience sees you and is like, damn, this girl is the one we need. In doing this, I believe you will end up getting more business than being "just another forgettable vanilla agent." 

    This strategy has led me to $200 Million+ in sales and a $75 Million rental portfolio so I can attest to it's success.

    3Reply
  • Lucien Perreault
    Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 81 posts · 81 votes
    4y

    @Sapir Simply

    Absolutely not. Your name makes you unique and a standout if you ask me. My name is difficult for most as well but almost everyone says “wow that’s a cool name, never met a Lucien before.” Right there in that moment I’m already ahead of everyone else.

    1Reply
  • Ryan KellyBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Austin, TX · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Sapir Simply don’t be like everyone else…be YOU! Having a unique name is a bonus in a business with 1000’s of Realtors. If you want to use a nickname, just work it into your marketing.

    [email protected]512-674-5478
    Ryan Kelly Group - Keller Williams5109 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
  • Eric Bilderback
    Real Estate Agent · Sisters, OR · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    The last time someone didn't use an attractive girl as their realtor because of her name was probably never.  Although as a proud American are names are pretty great!

    Go kill it!

    1Reply
  • Chris John
    Member since 2020 · 671 posts · 937 votes
    4y

    Man, for some reason this string is stuck in my head and is beyond frustrating for me.  If you think racism is so prevalent and debilitating for the average American minority, I'd think you'd want strong, competent minorities to be their authentic selves to break down the barriers of the ignorant and force them to see that someone with a "ain't white, particular, and funny" name can be a success and an asset.  Why let rampant racism win by empowering a society that is unaccepting of new cultures and forces minorities to succumb to their racist norms?  Wouldn't it be better to prove them wrong and shine a light on their stupidity rather than conform to their whims?

    Anyway, we elected and reelected a man named Barack Hussein Obama... 

    Also, I understand that doesn't mean there's no such thing as racism, that this point is anecdotal, and that some people think Obama's approval rating would have been 100% if his name was "Don Smith" and he was white (spoiler alert - it wouldn't have been and some of us think he was a bad president based solely on his performance, but many people aren't interested in hearing a nuanced criticism of Obama's tenure - you're in luck because I'm not looking to give one!).

    Ugh.  Rant over and sorry to subject you to this if you've read this far.

    5Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    @Sapir Simply Well there you have it! Looks pretty lopsided in favor of retaining your REAL name....go out and take advantage of that incredible name!

    2Reply
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