On a slighty similar note, they always tend to call me Kame. I used to write my name as 亀論 too, but katakana ain't so bad. Katakana is seen as cool for names anyway, perhaps it's because all the American movie stars and singers all have katakana names, i dunno.
Pronouncing my last name produces the same sound as scratching a blackboard with your fingernails. My dad will probably get cranky if (when) I change my name but as with all things he'd get over it.