What's In a Name?

I have never told you my name, nor will I now, but I will tell you my name is long and can be shortened in a variety of ways. I have gone by a nickname for most of my life. I started going by this nickname in 5th grade because there was another girl in the class by the same full name, and one of us had to pick a new name. I was excited then. I liked my nickname.

Don't get me wrong, I still like my nickname. Most of the people I love call me by this nickname. However, when I started my new job, I saw an opportunity to go by my full name. I like my full name. Scratch that. I love my full name. It's beautiful. And it makes me feel a little more sophisticated and grown up versus my nickname.

I'm not bothered when someone calls me by my nickname, but what I am bothered by is when people automatically shorten my full name without asking. I introduced myself to the entire teaching staff as my full name. For months, I was called by my full name. I was really growing to adore it.

Now recently, I'm my nickname again. No one told these people to call me by my nickname. I never signed any emails with my nickname. Nothing. Why then are they using the shortened version? What gives them the right to give me a new name? If you were introduced to someone, and he said his name was Robert, would you reply "Nice to meet you, Bob"? No, of course not. That would be rude and presumptuous.

I feel like I'm stuck. I want my real, full, God-given name back, but how do I retrieve it? I can't very well march into work on Monday and say "Don't call me ____. My name is _________." Or can I?

I'm sure I could, but knowing my gargantuan fear of confrontation, I think I've lost my name.

Sad, I was growing used to it. It feels like I've lost a little piece of myself.