My name in Chinese when I visit China

[gsokolow1785]

I am going to China in March to visit my son who is teaching English in Nanjing.
My name is Gary Sokolow
A Chinese friend at work said an OK given name name could be... 盖利 (Gài Lì).

Since family names are so important do I introduce myself as Sokolow Gài Lì?

Or, since "Sokolow" means "falcon" (I think) in either Polish or Russian. How about "Yīng" 鹰.
I looked this up in Google translate for the word falcon.

Or since I am not visiting for any formal reason, just stick with Gài Lì?

[jane1000288416]

Hi gsokolow1785
Sorry for the very late reply. I am glad you are coming to China in March not Jan since it's so cold in China at the moment.
In regard your Chinese name, I think for casual introduction, the first name 盖利is fine. If you really want, you can tell people that you surname in Polish or Russian means "ying" the falcon which is always interesting to know. But the character鹰 is rarely used as surname in Chinese. However, there is another character 英 which is also pronounced the same like the other character, and it is also used as a surname as well. So if you really want, you can be called 英盖利 in Chinese. Just a suggestion, not sure you'd like it.

Best,
Jane