'Real' names
Posted by Loupie on Jul 22, 2009
This post has been in the pipeline for a while due to comments made by several people.
People say the stupidest things on their first date
Like “What’s your real name?” – Voltaire – Future Ex-girlfriend
Why do people have this obsession with knowing peoples ‘Real’ names. Surely if a person gives you a nickname that is what they would prefer that you called them, what does it matter if its not the one on their birth certificate. In fact the only time I have ever asked anyone what their real name is was when meeting people off an internet forum for the first time who may not want to be know by their aliases in real life.
Ok, I will admit there are times when it is appropriate to use your legal name, for instance I would not introduce myself as Loupie at a job interview. But in everyday life does it really matter what we are called, names are just a useful way of distinguishing us from the masses around us. If we find our nickname suits our personality better then why shouldn’t we use it. To use an example from Voltaire, as quoted above, what self respecting goth would want to be known as Bernie Weinstien?
Finally where do you draw the line as to what constitutes a ‘real’ name. Is it what you are born, what you change it to via deed-poll, or should it be what you are most commonly known as? Two quick examples; what about the girl christened Tallulah does the hula from Hawaii, or my friend who changed his name to Thunder. Those are both their legal names, but are they their real names?