Hi Xin Li. English is not like Chinese. Since English is written more or less phonetically, you’re free to use any collection of sounds you want as your name. Many English speakers have no idea what their own names mean, and they almost never have any idea what other people’s names mean. I see that you’re in the US — I can assure you that America is a country of immigrants and it’s perfectly fine to use your Chinese name as long as you romanize the spelling (i.e. use our alphabet). That being said, I notice that your name resembles “Cindy” which is short for Cynthia. In my opinion, that is a very beautiful name, since it is a reference to the beloved figure from Greek mythology, Artemis / Phoebe / Diana.

Hi there! Well, I don't think that you, or anyone else, has to change their name to something English sounding. Nowadays, English speakers will quite happily try to say your name, and for us it sounds more interesting than English names. In your case Xin Li sounds nice in English (I'd say it as 'tsin lee'). BUT...if you want to change it, then that's up to you. I notice your Italki name is 'Xindy'...I'd say this as 'tsindee', so how about the name 'Cindy'?

"Shinley" is the most direct transliteration of your Chinese name, and it IS name, but it's a surname. You probably want a first name. Here are some options: -Sheila (pronounced like Pinyin "xi la"). If you choose this, you can also use "Shelly" as a nickname. -Sheena (pronounced like Pinyin "xi na") -Chanelle (If "xa" were possible in Pinyin and if it were possible to end a syllable with "L" in Chinese, then this would be written as "xa nel" in Pinyin) -Selena (pronounced like Pinyin "sa li na") -"Sunila" is a very rare name in English. It comes from India. I think most English speakers wiuld pronounce it like Pinyin "san ni la", although it's probably pronounced differently in its original language.

you don't have to , it's very interesting that foreigners tries to pronounce new name just keep it :)

Sheila