What is a kind but firm way to correct a mispronounced name? 

Parenting Perspective 

A child’s name is deeply connected to their identity, and having it repeatedly mispronounced can feel dismissive or even insulting. Teaching your child how to correct others respectfully is a crucial way to protect their dignity without appearing harsh. The objective is to find a balance between kindness and firmness, acknowledging that mistakes happen while clearly communicating that their name is important. 

Provide a Simple, Polite Script 

Coach your child with a few simple and repeatable phrases that are direct but polite. This shows respect for the other person while keeping the boundary clear. 

• ‘Actually, it is [Name]. Please say it like that.’ 

• ‘I know it can be tricky. My name is [Name]. Could you try it again?’ 

• ‘Thank you for trying. The correct pronunciation is [Name].’ 

For example: 

Teacher: ‘Sha-feek?’ 

Child: ‘Actually, it is Shafeeq. Please say it like that.’ 

Teacher: ‘Oh, my apologies.’ 

Child: ‘That is okay. Thank you.’ 

Build Confidence Through Practice 

Practise these scripts at home using different tones, such as gentle, playful, and serious, so your child feels confident in various situations. You can make it a game where you deliberately mispronounce their name and they correct you. This rehearsal helps lower anxiety and makes the skill feel more natural. 

Frame Correction as Self-Respect 

Explain to your child why this is important: ‘Your name is a special part of who you are. Correcting people is not rude; it is teaching them how to respect you.’ This approach builds their self-esteem and helps them overcome any embarrassment about speaking up for themselves. 

Model the Behaviour for Your Child 

If you hear another adult mispronounce your child’s name, step in once to model the correct response. You can say, ‘Just so you know, it is pronounced [correct name]. Thank you for adjusting.’ After demonstrating this, encourage your child to take the lead in the future. This balance shows your support without taking away their voice. 

By providing your child with a confident yet kind script, you equip them with a valuable life skill. They learn that protecting their identity is an act of self-respect, not aggression. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam emphasises calling people by names that honour them and avoiding any words that might belittle or distort their identity. Teaching children to politely correct mispronunciations aligns with this core principle of preserving human dignity. 

The Quranic Prohibition of Offensive Names 

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 warns against mocking or altering names in a way that removes a person’s dignity. When you guide your child to correct their name firmly but kindly, you are aligning them with the Quranic instruction to protect one’s identity and honour. 

The Prophetic Emphasis on 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 highlights that our names carry significance not only in this world but also in the Hereafter. Correcting a mispronunciation, therefore, is more than a social courtesy; it is an act of upholding the honour that Allah Almighty has attached to each person’s given name. 

By embedding this practice into your family life, your child learns that their name deserves respect. They will understand that correcting someone kindly is a way of guarding both their dignity and their faith, helping them grow into a person who embodies respect for themselves and for others.