What do you think about my name?

But how would they know? (That you're using your real name.)

I'm using a pen name because my second last name is difficult to spell and pronounce. (German origin.)

As a guess I would say “Mike” would be better than “Mikk” because it's more familiar and (perhaps) easier to remember.

Mikk is cool. Use it.

I never quite understand how a real name adds any more credibility than a pen-name.

You'd have to know that it's a pen-name, for that to be true, and visitors don't know.

The whole point about a pen-name is surely that the visitors/readers/subscribers don't know that it's a pen-name: to them, it is a real name.

I'd use that, then, if you want to feel you're using "the personal touch". It's a good name, anyway.

I've always assumed Croatia or Montenegro. My memory and concentration are so poor that I can't remember now whether that's because you once mentioned one of those countries in a post here, or because I once saw some website of yours that was on a geotargeted domain, or something like that? It's equally likely, to be honest (no offense intended!) that I might have mixed you up with someone else who does live in Zagreb or Kotor, or somewhere like this? :rolleyes:

I've always guessed you as "Eastern/Southern Europe" but I'm starting to think I have it all wrong, now you mention "third-world countries". It doesn't matter, anyway - this is surely the point?

If you're actually Estonian, I'm now going to be really annoyed with myself, because I pride myself on knowing the people here from the Baltic Republics because I like those countries so much ... (and "Mikk" is an Estonian-sounding name, possibly?!? Nobody could ever describe Estonia as a third-world country, though?!).

I certainly wouldn't "avoid" using the name Mikk, though. For what that's worth. (That's coming from someone who has 9 different niche sites in 9 different names!).

There are superficial people in the world who might look down on you with a name like Mikk.

Do you really want to work with them?

I say, wear it proudly and unapologetically. It helps to distinguish you and it is honest - two good things.

Pen names are meant so that people think it's your real name...so where is the difference in credibility lol?

Hey

Don't bother about other's opinion. If you want promote yourself as a brand in marketing just use your own name. Look around. None of reputable marketers are hiding their names.

Good luck Mikk

It could be just me (I think I have some form of dyslexia) but I don't know how to pronounce that. To me it sounds like "Mick." Would that be a problem?

Just something to consider. In terms of originality, it's a good name. : )

I think Mikk is a cool and different name. Seems like people are naming their kids with crazy names but Mikk seems fine to me.

Bonnie

Are you taking the mikk? I'd be more concerned about your avatar. You scared my daughter. :p

It depends what you are doing and who your target audience is.

Americans (where most of your $ comes from online) are skeptical of almost anyone that isn't American. And many are skeptical of anyone that isn't both American and a member of their own race. So we see things like Indian call centers giving their employees American names and training them to use American accents. And all of our news anchors have a fake "news anchor" accent that is neither white, black, asian or latino. We see a lot of things you could call culture neutral.

I would probably go with Mick rather than Mikk. Last names I don't think are much of a problem. It's moreso first names. Google around for research done on the power of names. Here in the US names like Michael and William give you a leg up on the competition if you are male. Females do better with names like Alex.

And I'm not saying it's right.... it is what it is.... but if your name is a long African name or popular in the middle east, I'd strongly consider a pen name if you are targeting a broad American market. Someone named Muhammad for instance is going to have to break through some barriers that a Michael wouldn't have to.

Go with your gut.

Americans may be the MOST resistant to a name such as MIKK. It is a relatively well known fact that MANY people had their names changed involntarily and on the fly by workers at ellis island that changed the name because of a mistake. It is known as anglicizing a name(Making it sound/seem more anglosaxon). But americans have been exposed to MANY names over the decades. Some TRY to make their names WEIRD! My favorite example is THIS woman: Khrystyne Haje - IMDb Khrystyne Kamil Haje Her family had a competition to spell her name as weird as possible.

So your name is probably a minor problem. Be aware, MANY may call you MICK(SHORT I, like in pit)

Steve

Thanks for everyone to their responses. I guess I'll go with Mikk then.

Some clarification for the questions:

Mikk is pronounced as "Mick"
Alexa: Yes, I'm Estonian.

It could negatively impact credibility to change your name in niches
where you are already established.

Also, if you are in niches where you are establishing yourself as an expert,
the argument against using the same name is that people might question
your expert credibility. If they see your name tied into different niches,
they could wonder how someone can be an expert in, lets say, food
recipes, pet care, financial advising, nutrition, dating... Or, a woman might
do better in some niches than a guy, or vice versa.

Claude, you always manage to make me smile with your sense of humor. I enjoy reading what you have to say.