What's in a name?

I've come to accept that the Iraqis I meet will call me by my formal name instead of my nickname.  Time and time again I've seen a puzzled look on a face when I say "ismi Dan," which then changes to a look of familiarity when our translator goes into an explanation that involves "Dan" and "Daniel."  To which my host will, in Arabic, say, "It's nice to meet you Daniel." (Apparently Daniel is a good Old Testament name that most Arabs recognize.)  So I've stopped with the Dan and have accepted that I will be Daniel or Mr. Daniel here in Baghdad.The other day, things went one-step further.  One of my colleagues, an American, is an Arabic speaker.  And when he's introduced he usually presents his  background in Arabic.  Well, apparently the host asked him what his Arabic name was, and my colleague laughed and then rattled off a long name.  Folks then started asking me details about my relations and came up with what is my Arabic name:  Abu Brandon Daniel ibin William ibin Edgar al Terrell or Abu Brandon for short.

Mr. Daniel is a lot easier to remember.