What's in a name?
 PIX News At Ten |
Okay. I said in my last blog that I would regale you with more stories about the way my name has been butchered over the years. Before I do that, let me tell you where my name comes from and what it means.
In Chinese my name would be pronounced “Doong Kai-TEE.” I was given this name by my maternal grandfather who was a learned man. A scholar. It is from the Confucian Analects and describes a prince. In other words, it means ‘princely” or “with princely qualities.” To the Chinese ear, it sounds masculine. Because it is.
When my parents came to the States, they decided to get Western names. My mother picked Anita. The only problem was, almost all her Chinese girlfriends picked the name Anita, for some reason, so there were an awful lot of Aunt Anitas around the mahjjong table!
And my Dad picked the name George, again because most of his friends had that name. We had DOZENS of “uncle” Georges running around, with maybe the occasional Uncle Ernie or Aunt Diamond thrown in.
Anyway, even though my parents gave THEMSELVES “easy- to- remember- and- pronounce” American names, they didn’t do my brother and me the same favor. No, for us, KAITY and KAIYUAN. My poor brother got the short end of THAT stick. Kaity (pronounced KITEY) is a whole lot easier to say than Kaiyuan (pronounced KAI- U-.N.) You have to say the “U.N.” part very quickly, as though it is almost one syllable.
Never mind, nobody else could pronounce it either.
So back to just SOME of the ways my name has been mangled. Connie Tong, Kitty Chung, Catty Tung, Tighty Wong, Cidy Tong, Katie Kong, Tiny Tong and of course, my favorite, Tiny Tongue.
When I got married, it was trendy at the time to hyphenate both your last names. Unfortunately, I married a man with the last name, Long. So I would have been Kaity Tong-Long. Hmmmm.
I have a dog on Long Island named after me. I've met and mentored two young girls whose mothers decided to name them after me. And one of them isn't even Asian. She's Hispanic. I wish those well-meaning moms had consulted me first.
Hey, don't get me wrong. I am proud of my heritage and I have learned to love my name. I'm just SAYING, sometimes it's not EASY! You just have to laugh.
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Comments: 7
Kaity,
Watching you on the news for years I always thought of your name as the furthest thing from masculine, and it is unique.
The background on your name was enlightening.
You're still gorgeous and I enjoy seeing you on the 10pm program.
Keep up the good work.
Bill
Interesting, and it leaves me wondering...why were you named 'prince' and your brother named Kaiyuan? I hope his name doesn't mean stinky in chinese...or 'princess'. Perhaps it is time to change the family name to O'Hara...there it is: Kaity Scarlett O'Hara...and your brother, Keil O'Hara, and your mom Mrs. O'Hara, and your uncle George O'Hara...ah, there's the rub...there simply are no George O'Haras. Do you think he might like the name Dubya? Very American, but passé I guess. Anyway, your onscreen personna is wonderful, always intelligent and insightful, with a great sense of humor and irony. Keep up the good work, and by the way, your coverage of the crash of Fl. 1539 with Jim was outstanding.
Interesting, and it leaves me wondering...why were you named 'prince' and your brother named Kaiyuan? I hope his name doesn't mean stinky in chinese...or 'princess'. Perhaps it is time to change the family name to O'Hara...there it is: Kaity Scarlett O'Hara...and your brother, Keil O'Hara, and your mom Mrs. O'Hara, and your uncle George O'Hara...ah, there's the rub...there simply are no George O'Haras. Do you think he might like the name Dubya? Very American, but passé I guess. Anyway, your onscreen personna is wonderful, always intelligent and insightful, with a great sense of humor and irony. Keep up the good work, and by the way, your coverage of the crash of Fl. 1539 with Jim was outstanding.
Very interesting background on your name. As a fan, I have talked to other fans who wondered about your name, and have also heard you called "Katie," "Connie" and even "Mrs. Povich."
Always enjoy your newscasts, and your blog.
Stinky. Kitty? This is all very funny. Now I'm hunting for your blogs daily. That's how I'm getting my chuckles. Your blogs give me something to look forward to besides American Idol.
Kaity,
Great story. I know how it is when people butcher ones name. I'm Isabel and some people call me Elizabeth; go figure. People lengthen & shorten my name as well. I don't mind it anymore... I'll turn around w/ the name Elizabeth. Anyway, my friends/family call me by my nickname.
I watch you and Jim on WPIX all the time. You guys
are great!
Also, Mr. G, Lolita... and the WPIX crew.
Kaity, What a nice name. It's petite, a perfect fit for a little lady