by Ann Maree Goudzwaard
I have a rather difficult name. Ever since I was a child I’ve had to explain it. I have two first names but no middle name, and, for some reason, this doesn’t make sense to people. Additionally, “Ann Maree” doesn’t roll naturally off the tongue. Typically, folks (my mom included!) will shorten my name to “Ann,” which is my least favorite name out of any of the multitude of options. Often times, the name that people prefer to call me is “Mary Ann.” I find myself paying attention when I hear that name to make sure no one is talking to me. In high school, I got tired of explaining my two first names. I told people to just call me “George.”
These days I’ll answer to just about anything.
Not everyone is indifferent to what they are called. New moms, for instance, will firmly correct anyone who assigns their child a nickname. People in the academic world will insist that their name include the appropriate title(s). Many people self-identify by a particular mental health diagnosis or personality disorder; “I’m Bipolar,” or “I’m OCD,” or “I am an extrovert/introvert.” These names have a way of helping
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