Pronunciation
How to say my name right, just in case you’re unsure.
TL;DR: Just call me Bharath (pronounced: Baa-rath).
My name’s a bit of a long one with Indian roots. Some people find it a little tricky at first, but honestly, it’s easier than it looks.
My full name is Bharathkumar Rajagopal (IPA: /ˈbʌ.rəθ.kuːˈmɑːr ˈrɑː.dʒə.gəʊˈpɑːl/).
It’s pronounced Buh-rath-koo-mar, where:
- “Bha” sounds like buh in bud – not like ball or bay
- “rath” rhymes with path or wrath (not stretched out like raaaath).
- “kumar” is pronounced as koo-mar
My surname, Rajagopal, is said Rah-jah-go-paal. It’s not a family name, but actually my dad’s first name. I know, that might sound a bit unusual, but it’s quite normal in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. There’s a bit of history of social justice behind that naming style, and I find it really meaningful. If you’re ever curious, feel free to ask – I’m always happy to chat about it.