Yesterday I read an interesting post by Waking up on the Wrong Side of 50, a fellow blogger. Her post, entitled Name Game, was asking about the name one was given at birth and the name one goes by now.
That got me thinking of my own name and its transitions.
At my birth I was given the first names Richard Linnaeus. Richard having a long tradition on my paternal side and Linnaeus being my maternal grandfather’s name.
Up until I began school I was known as Linne, short form for Linnaeus. Once in school I was often teased, even bullied, for having a “girl’s” name, so I started using Richard, which, at some point in the process became Rick. That stayed with me through high school, technical school, university and into the military.
During my military career I began using Richard more and, depending on the activity I was involved in, would answer to either Richard or Rick. This carried on after my military retirement into my business activities. Eventually Rick all but disappeared, and for at least the last 20-25 years I have gone by Richard.
Now comes the crux of the thinking brought forward by the blog post.
Over the years, many years, I have often mulled in my mind about reverting my name to Linne. I must say that it has bothered me at times that I gave in to the teasers and bullies (these are similar but have different processes). I have determined that my grandfather went his entire life known as Linne to many, and he was a highly successful, accomplished person, becoming very well known in Great Britain.
During my life I have learned much about names, how important they are to us, in meaning, in family, and in history.
Even though I’m blogging about it, my situation is but a very small scale issue in the grand scheme of things.
However, there are many people who have had others literally rename them. People who are born here, or come to Canada from another country will be “renamed” by acquaintences, co-workers or employers, who, for one reason or another, don’t (or won’t) make the effort to say the person’s name properly. As a result they are given a “Canadian” name that is easy to say and/or spell. I need not provide any examples because I’m sure that each of my readers will know of someone in that situation.
So, getting back to my situation, I have often thought I should change back, and then I hesitate, wondering about any issues it would create. Even now, as I type this, I have stopped to ponder. If I change, how would I do it, how much would I change. Would I leave all the “official stuff”, passport, drivers licence, healthcare, and so on, the same (actually for most no change would be necessary). Probably just change the day-to-day usage, social media, that type of thing.
It is indeed something to ponder. What will I do? What would others think? What do my readers think? Feel free to let me know.
Regardless, life goes on. Be assured that I will continue to provide blogs, podcasts and more, through my Wee Internet Empire, irrespective of what name I choose to call myself.
Until next time. Take good care of yourself, and look out for others.
Richard's Ramblings 
Richard, as i was introduced to you as, is what i am used to. How you wish to be addressed is how you should intruduce yourself. I respect when introduced that the name they use is the name the want me to use. I know the joy of name…..with myself being Susan Lezley, there was quite a kafuffle with my mom when i got tired of being addressed as Susan for any legal, medical, important meetings/appointment And legally dropped it. That happened after one doc office personnel ask me in “that tone” don’t you know your own name? when i did not respond to Susan, and finally realized it when she herumphed Susan Zwaal. Dad called me Oz. my sibs called me Big Sidders Oz (oldest). A name is something so very personal, and i feel something that i am proud of. I do know one other Lezley, (A quilter in the US).
RIchard I read your blog with interest. I have thought lots about my own name and knew at a young age how it was seen by others. My name was the longest in the small school I started out in. Christopher Hamilton Ingersoll. My first name is my own so not named after anyone there. My second name Hamilton is after my Great Uncle Ham who had a small fishing boat (sloop called the Majestic) back in the early 1900’s. My dad had a wooden hull carved out for him as a boy and I had a painting consigned to an artist from down east from Grand Manan. The boat has been repainted and masts etc have been rebuilt by a family friend. The island history was always fishing and aquiculture. I have had a few nicknames while in the military, Ingy being one. (never liked that one). My Dad (Frederick) had a nick name of Fringy. Now I go by Chris and some when emailing me at a t to my first (who might not be aware of what they have typed. I know I have a great Scottish background as my Great Grandfather was a Gordon and so I always make a comment about that when speaking of names. We were able to go to the Gordon ancient fort/home when speaking of family etc. We were lucky enough to stay in a Gordon castle while visiting the area close to Huntly. As you can see I love my family connects to the world.