A rose by any other name?

I've seen Fire and I've seen Rain. I know Sunny, and I once tutored Everlasting. I've even met Everlast.

When I came to China five years ago, I was surprised and often amused by the English names adopted by the Chinese people I met. Fire and Rain and Sunny were post-doctoral students, and those names are old hat now. My roommate teaches 5- and 6-year-olds, and their names are much hipper, including Juicy and iPod.

My friend Ripple says her English name is a literal translation of her Chinese name, Lianyi. Other friends have names that sound something like their Chinese names, if they chose not to pluck one from literature or other interests. Jefferson? Kawasaki? Tattoo Mama? Jennifer? (yes, that would be the Friends star.) I know them all.