What can my child say when someone mispronounces their name repeatedly? 

Parenting Perspective 

A person’s name holds deep meaning, forming a core part of their identity, heritage, and dignity. When a child’s name is repeatedly mispronounced, whether by a peer, a teacher, or another adult, it can make them feel invisible or disrespected. Some children may laugh it off to avoid awkwardness, while others might react with sharp frustration. The key is to equip your child with polite but firm scripts that allow them to correct others without shame or anger, teaching them that protecting their name can be done with both courage and courtesy. 

Explain Why Correcting Someone Is an Act of Confidence 

Start by validating their feelings and framing the correction as a positive action. You can say: ‘When someone keeps saying your name incorrectly, it can feel like they are not really seeing you. The way you correct them shows your strength and self-respect.’ This helps to frame the act of correction as something empowering rather than embarrassing. 

Provide Polite and Gentle Correction Scripts 

Give your child short, polite, and easy-to-remember phrases that protect their own dignity without attacking the other person. 

• ‘Actually, it is pronounced…’ 

• ‘I know my name can be a little tricky, but it is said like this…’ 

• ‘Thank you for trying. Would you mind if I helped you with the pronunciation?’ 

Emphasise a Calm and Consistent Tone 

Children may need to offer the same correction multiple times. Teach them that a calm and consistent tone is often more powerful than an irritated one. You can explain: ‘Each time they get it wrong, just remind them again politely. Your consistency and calmness will help them take it seriously.’ 

Practise Through Gentle Role-Play 

Role-play different scenarios where you deliberately mispronounce their name. Guide them in using one of the polite scripts and then offer positive feedback: ‘That sounded very confident and kind. You stood up for your name without being rude.’ Practising in a safe space builds the muscle memory needed for real-life situations. 

Equip Them with a Firmer, Assertive Script 

If someone repeatedly ignores a gentle correction, your child will need a slightly more assertive (but still polite) script. You could teach them to say: ‘I would really appreciate it if you could make an effort to say my name correctly. It is important to me.’ This communicates the seriousness of the issue without resorting to hostility. 

Spiritual Insight 

Honour Is Part of Our Names and Identity 

Islam teaches that every individual possesses a God-given dignity, and our names are an integral part of that honour. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verses 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 clearly condemns the act of mocking, distorting, or disrespecting names. Teaching a child to calmly correct a mispronunciation is a way of upholding the dignity and honour that Allah Almighty has bestowed upon them. 

The Prophet’s ﷺExample of Calling People by Their Proper Names 

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always addressed people with the utmost respect, often using their proper names or the affectionate titles they loved. This was a reflection of his deep honour for the dignity of others. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, 383, that Anas ibn Malik said that the Prophet’s ﷺ supplication was often: 

‘O Allah, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’ 

While this hadith is a supplication, the broader teachings of the Prophet ﷺ consistently emphasised showing love and respect in our speech. A parent can explain: ‘Our Prophet ﷺ taught us to show love and respect in how we talk to people. Calling someone by their correct name is a simple but important part of that love. When you gently correct someone, you are following his beautiful example.’ 

By linking this everyday social challenge to their faith, children learn that standing up for their name is not an act of pride, but an act of preserving their God-given dignity.