What's in a Name?

Much like Korea, in China there is a custom to have an "English name" which is used when talking with any non-Chinese. It is a custom I have never really understood. If people want a name great, but when someone gives you their real name you should use it. Some foreigners then ask or wait for an English name, which bothers me.  Either way, I just call people what they want to be called.

You get the same odd names, like "Explosion" or "Echo" as a name, and in those cases I just use their Chinese names.

What I find odd in China is the sheer number of, well, very old fashioned names. The young woman working at Starbucks. Very cute, friendly, and modern. Her name in Mavis. I get lots of Eunice's, Bonnie's, Horatio's etc. I would love to know where they get these names....