I’m African and have a complicated, ethnic first name. I usually introduce myself with an Americanized pronunciation when I meet new people because it’s just easier that way but I want to start introducing myself as my actual name. The americanized way isn’t thattt far off from my actual name, just a bit more understandable. Is this pretentious? Like I’m trying too hard? Would it deter people from talking to me or something if they can’t pronounce my name correctly? Should I say my actual name and then say “But you can call me “Americanized name” if you want”? Is that doing too much?
Edit: thank you all so much for your comments!! it has definitely helped me be more confident introducing myself. I appreciate all of you sm!! Will definitely be following y’alls advice.
Edit 2: I used pretentious a bit wrong here but in my defense, english isn’t my first language (lol). I used it because I feel a bit like a fraud introducing myself correctly because in my 20 years of living, I have always gone with the western version of my name so it just feels a bit try hardish to suddenly change it. I will still try my best to get people to at-least attempt to say my real name. I had an epiphany after a friend of 4 years didn’t know my actual name (my fault not hers, I never told her!!) and kind of panicked and went to reddit. Thanks again for your kind comments! Apologies for rambling.