I pointed out that Dan is a short form for Daniel, but no dice. I then told them that I could guarantee that there was only one Elloway in the country at that moment (Elloway is a rare surname and none of my family were visiting at that point). But they still wouldn’t accept it. In the end, I had to go back to my employer and get him to write me another check.

1. Recognise the name from Robin Hood - most Danes have heard of Robin Hood - and get dizzy as the ‘but it’s a girl; but it’s a boy’s name; but it’s a girl’ loop plays itself out in the insides of their shaking heads.

2. Learn that it’s a common girl’s name in Canada and Sweden, where it is often spelt with a ‘y’ instead of the ‘i’, inducing intense eyebrow dancing and further dizziness.

3. (Danes only) Make the first stab at pronouncing the name for themselves, which usually sounds something like ‘gob in’. Nice.

Once you’ve been through the 3-phase Robyn process, you’ll never forget the name. Never. And as a bloke called Chris, I can see the value in that.

One more thing. I call Robyn ‘Bobby,’ which is a natural nickname in England. but nobody gets it here. Danes just don’t go for nicknames - in fact, they won’t allow it. You’re called what you’re called and that’s that. By law.

I now like my middle name (Lambert) and even my older brother (Tuesday) has begun to appreciate that at least it gets him remembered.