Algorithm Reboot for Non-Western names
Just wanted you to know that the section for "Name Meaning" in the new pages doesn't quite cut it when it comes to non-Western names (i.e. Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese). Why? The algorithm is using a phonetic approach to find the closest meaning. Yep, it doesn't work that way, and it really gives no meaning to the individual person's page at all.
As a person of Hawaiian ancestry married to a person who also has Hawaiian, Chinese and Japanese ancestry, the "name meaning" section really has no meaning for us. Is there a way we can remove that section from our family members' pages?
Johnette Maielua, Hawaii Kai Ward
Comments
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This applies to name meanings provided for surnames throughout the world. A few days ago someone with a Dutch name complained that the name meaning provided suggested a Vietnamese connection! So, nothing specific to "non-Western" names.
FamilySearch uses a particular source here and, combined with the algorithm applied, means this issue arises all the time. There are some quite respected dictionaries of surnames available, but the ones I have consulted often rely on pure guesswork in providing definitions. As has been stated here on many occasions, there is rarely just one meaning / origin to a particular surname (even "western" ones), so I'd just take such details with a pinch of salt - or completely ignore them!
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