Many asians in America adopt an English name aside from their given names to avoid the hassle of constantly correcting others. Is This a Typo? questions and challenges this norm.Thirty-nine contributors tell stories about their names: names that are often mispronounced, butchered, and tossed around; names that are recognized as a typo on digital interfaces when typed in English.

Is This a Typo? spotlights the care and consideration that went into choosing the contributors’ given names. It unpacks how the experience of having your name made fun of in childhood arouses feelings of otherness. At its core, Is This a Typo? honors the names, their meanings, and the individuals who carry them.