How do we practise pronouncing names correctly as respect? 

Parenting Perspective 

Names carry deep personal meaning and identity. For children, learning to pronounce their classmates’ or friends’ names correctly is a simple yet profoundly effective way of showing respect. Ignoring, mispronouncing, or misusing names can cause others to feel invisible, unvalued, or genuinely disrespected. Teaching children to actively value and honour a person’s name nurtures empathy, inclusivity, and kindness. 

Explaining Why Names Matter 

Frame the correct use of names not merely as an act of politeness, but as a recognition of dignity. 

Tell your child: “A person’s name is a central part of who they are. Saying it properly shows that you care about them as an individual.” 

This explanation effectively connects correct pronunciation with the core value of respect, making the effort worthwhile. 

Teaching Simple Strategies 

Provide practical, easy-to-use techniques that help a child master unfamiliar or difficult names. 

Encourage your child to: 

• Ask directly: “Can you say your name for me slowly so I can make sure I get it right?” 

• Practise silently: Repeat the name to themselves several times until the sound feels natural. 

• Break it down: Say the name slowly in distinct parts, then gradually put the syllables together. 

These small, incremental steps make unfamiliar names much easier to remember and pronounce. 

Encouraging Gentle Correction 

Teach your child to seek help humbly and openly if they are struggling with a name, rather than guessing or avoiding it. 

Coach your child to say: “I want to make sure I am saying your name right—can you help me with the stress?” This approach models humility and dedication rather than pretending they have mastered the pronunciation. 

Practising at Home 

Use role-play to build your child’s confidence in handling real-life social situations gracefully. 

Role-play with unfamiliar names. Model how to ask respectfully and repeat the name until it is correct. This structured practice builds confidence for real-life interactions. 

Praising Respectful Efforts 

Affirm the effort your child puts into being thoughtful, regardless of whether the pronunciation is immediately perfect. 

When your child tries, even if it is imperfect, affirm them: “I liked how you asked your classmate to help you with their name. That showed kindness and respect.” 

By training attentiveness and humility, you help your child understand that names are more than just sounds they are expressions of a person’s inherent dignity. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places great emphasis on honouring people and treating them with comprehensive respect in all words and actions. Calling someone by their proper, preferred name is an essential component of this dignity. 

Honouring Names and Avoiding Nicknames 

The Quran contains an explicit command against disrespecting others through insults or by using offensive nicknames, underscoring the sacred nature of a person’s name. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verse 11: 

‘…And do not insult each other; and do not call each other by (offensive) nicknames; how bad is it to be called by nefarious names after the attainment of faith…’ 

This verse reminds us that names must be used with respect, and never twisted or belittled. 

The Significance of Names on the Day of Judgement 

The Hadith highlights the lasting significance of names, indicating they are part of one’s identity both in this world and the next, urging believers to choose and use good names. 

It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 4948, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘On the Day of Resurrection you will be called by your names and by your fathers’ names, so give yourselves good names.’ 

This Hadith shows the immense significance of names in Islam, both in this world and the next. 

When children learn to pronounce names correctly, they are practising respect, humility, and prophetic manners. These small acts of genuine care teach them that kindness is expressed not only in grand actions but also in the specific words they choose to honour others.