"Immigrants Adopting Traditional Swedish Surnames by Appending -sson"

In Sweden, the story of Johan Azizsson, a restaurant owner, is a testament to the journey of many immigrants who have adopted Swedish surnames. Azizsson, whose family hails from an Arabic-speaking Christian minority, was forced to adopt a Turkish surname in their country of origin. At the age of 14, he changed his name, combining his father's first name Aziz with the Swedish "-sson."

Johan Azizsson found the new surname strange initially, but he believes the motivation was more about self-respect and rejection of a forced Turkish surname rather than assimilation into Swedish society. This sentiment is echoed in the research of Moa Bursell, an associate professor, who identified several reasons for immigrants changing their names in Sweden. These include a desire for job acceptance, practicality, and disliking their original surname due to forced adoption.

Bursell's research suggests that foreigners often chose names that sounded strange to Swedish ears due to the inability to change their names to existing Swedish ones at the time of her study. Interestingly, changing a name, even to a foreign-sounding one, can improve employment chances, though Swedish employers may not be fooled about the origin of the applicant.

The practice of adopting Swedish surnames is not exclusive to Johan Azizsson. Bursell's research also suggests that immigrants from Islamic countries often changed their names as a signal of being a moderate person, not necessarily religious, and a desire to get closer to the majority culture. One such example is Mehsen Mohamsson, a Swede of Palestinian descent, who considers her father's addition of "-sson" to their surname as a symbol of respect, pride, and gratitude towards Sweden.

The search also found -sson versions of some common Slavic names, such as Borisson, Milansson, and Vladimirsson, and at least 175 individuals with -sson versions of common Arabic boy's names, with Alisson, Azizsson, and Omarsson being the most common. Some famous Swedish Jews in the 19th and 20th century also had -sson names, such as Eufrosyne Abrahamson, Ragnar Josephson, and Erland Josephson.

Changing a name to a foreign-sounding one, even in the past, could potentially lead to curiosity and less perceived threat, signaling assimilation to some extent. However, it's important to note that specific documented cases and detailed motives vary individually. Johan Azizsson's statement: The Azizsson name, derived from his grandfather's name and ending in the Swedish "-sson," is not necessarily considered typically Swedish.

Johan Azizsson's statement: Some people question the origin of the Azizsson name, inquiring about it. This curiosity, however, serves as a reminder of the unique journeys that immigrants have undertaken to integrate into Swedish society. For Mohamsson, her unique surname serves as a reminder of her origin and the place where her family has settled.

In conclusion, the adoption of Swedish surnames by immigrants is a complex issue, driven by a variety of factors including self-respect, job acceptance, practicality, and a desire to assimilate. It's a testament to the resilience and adaptability of immigrants in Sweden, and a reminder of the diverse cultural influences that shape the country today.