local function utf8len1stchar(str)
    local byte = str:byte(1)
    if byte < 128 then return 1 end -- 1-byte character
    if byte < 224 then return 2 end -- continue of multi-byte character
    if byte < 240 then return 3 end -- start of 2-byte character
    if byte < 248 then return 4 end -- start of 3-byte character
    return 1 -- invalid
end

-- Name abbreviation
local function abbreviateName(text)
    local lengthOfFirstChar = utf8len1stchar(text)
    return string.sub(text, 1, lengthOfFirstChar) .. "."
end