Half of Brits with non-English names have shortened or Anglicised their name to avoid bias, study finds

By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR Published: 13:12, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 14:46, 15 July 2026 Jesminder and Aleksandr may not sound familiar to most Brits – but Jess and Alex probably do. That's because more than half of Britons with non–English names have shortened or Anglicised them in the hope of being treated more fairly, according to a new study. A poll of 500 people revealed many believe their culturally distinctive name puts them at a disadvantage. Some reported changing how they introduced themselves on job applications, while others said they only used an Anglicised version in professional settings. Among some of the names most affected for both boys and girls are those with Arabic, Hindi, Spanish and Turkish origins. Some, like Kashif and Juanita, no longer appear at all in the latest birth records, while others, such as Vishal and Ikra, have seen sharp declines. 'These names once told stories of heritage, belief, and identity,' experts at language learning app Preply wrote in a blog post. 'Their disappearance reflects a broader trend: how the pressures of pronunciation, acceptance, and bias are reshaping the names we pass on to the next generation.' Some names, like Kashif and Juanita, no longer appear at all in the latest birth records, Preply said. Among some of the names most affected for both boys and girls are those from Arabic, Hindi, Spanish and Turkish origins The phenomenon isn't limited to everyday Britons, as some of the country's biggest stars have also changed or simplified their names during their careers. Sir Ben Kingsley, who has Anglo–Indian heritage, was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji. He said he adopted his stage name because he believed his birth name would limit his acting opportunities. Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara, while Sir Mo Farah's real birth name is Hussein Abdi Kahin. Actress Thandiwe Newton was credited as 'Thandie Newton' for three decades after her name was misspelled in the credits of her first film, before reclaiming the original Zimbabwean spelling in 2021. Meanwhile Helen Mirren, regarded amongst Britain's greatest actresses, was born Ilyena Lydia Mironoff. Her Russian father decided to change the family name in the Fifties to improve his chances at finding work and to remove any obstacles for his children. Madeline Enos, spokeswoman for Preply said: 'A name isn't just a word: it can be a reflection of a person's identity, history, and heritage. 'For some people, shortening or Anglicizing their name is a personal choice. For others, it reflects pressure to make their name easier for those around them.' Sir Ben Kingsley (left), who has Anglo–Indian heritage, was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji. Meanwhile Queen frontman Freddie Mercury (right) was born Farrokh Bulsara Preply's analysis also revealed that 82 per cent of people with non–Anglo names experience frequent mispronunciation, while 52 per cent have had their names avoided or changed without consent. Nearly three–quarters reported feeling angry, frustrated or embarrassed due to repeated mispronunciations. And more than half said they would give their children more English–sounding names. A close inspection of birth records also reveals a similar pattern. While births to non–UK mothers have increased by 63 per cent since 2003, distinct non–Anglo baby names only rose by 22 per cent. While Muhammad is currently the most popular boys' name in the UK, the next most common Arabic name, Yusuf, appears considerably less frequently. This could indicate that parents choose familiar and widely recognised names to help reduce the risk of mispronunciation or bias, experts explained. In turn, this could impact the diversity of linguistic heritage being passed on. 'Language should be a bridge, not a barrier,' Ms Enos said. 'When we take the time to make space for names as they are, we create space for people, culture, identity, and belonging. 'Pronouncing names correctly is a simple way to show respect and consideration.' Helen Mirren (left), regarded amongst Britain's greatest actresses, was born Ilyena Lydia Mironoff. Actress Thandiwe Newton (right) was credited as 'Thandie Newton' for three decades after her name was misspelled in the credits of her first film Preply has created an International Phonetic Alphabet guide designed to help people learn the correct pronunciation of a wide range of names. One of its campaign posters reads: 'Mastered Djokovic? Then Dejan isn't too much to ask.' The Office for National Statistics recently revealed that a total of 5,957 boys were given the specific spelling of Muhammad in 2025, a rise of 4 per cent on last year. Muhammad has topped the list for three years running, while Olivia claimed the top spot for girls for the fourth year and Lily has moved up the charts into second place. Britain up for sale: US vultures in a takeover frenzy with smash-and-grab raid on UK plc an easy way for private investors to make money