Birth name different to what parents called you.

[benoticanarsed]

Hi. I'm not sure if I've explained it well in the title.

I really wish my parents had named me something and stuck with it.

For example Catherine and Kate, William and Bill, Becky and Rebecca, James and John.

When I have to write my official name down or I'm at the doctors or dentist it feels as though they are talking about someone else. I've been married 10 years now but it was even more strange when my surname changed.

My siblings are either their name or a shortened version not a completely different name.

I hate it. I'm autistic so maybe I'm looking into it weirdly.

Anyone else?

Not me but several of my aunts and uncles go by a name that's completely different to the name they were given at birth... think Micheal being known as Alan, John being known as David, Catherine being known as Jean etc. Usually this is their middle name but still, it's confusing!

My parents use a shortened version of one of my middle names and have done since I was born, when I started school I decided I wanted to be called by my second middle name ! I've answered to both all my life and it's never bothered me at all. They did explain their reasons though so I understood why it happened. The only time it can be an issue is with anything official who use my first name, as I'm just not used to it and don't always realise they're talking to me .

I'm not completely understanding the issue?. If you were called Frederick William at birth. Are they calling you something completely different to both names shortened or not (quite a lot of families take the second name of the child to be their first known name, I know, it is bonkers to some, but if we can live with it for a moment, it is traditional in many families, and the child would be known as William, Billy or Bill). If not, you would be known as Freddy, Fred or Frederick. If you are expected to be known (and know yourself) as something completely different of not your own choosing, say, Alan, then yeah, your parents are being completely unreasonable, and a long path of nuisance lies ahead while you try and prove who you think you are.

I think I get it. I also wonder if people get annoyed when the name they are called is completely different to the name used in the work computer system (e.g. Lily Smith.. I look up L Smith but can't find her, only to realise she's actually Elizabeth).

Thankfully I have a very boring name with no shortenings.

You can change your name by deed poll to whatever you like relatively easily.

Problem solved ✅