Posted by Dinah on March 1, 2004, at 9:57:27
In reply to Re: I'm thinking of changing my name, posted by gardenergirl on March 1, 2004, at 1:23:16
Hmmm... What would it be like? And why is it important to me...
I think I've always felt a lack of congruence between who I am and my name. My name is one of those that wasn't invented until well into this century, and is just a bit too modern to suit me. I think I'd do better with an old fashioned, feminine name, but with some strength and weight to it.
Plus, there are some unpleasant personal associations to the name. I had three other people with this name in my classes as I grew up, and they were so similar to each other, but so different from how I see myself. I'm sure they were all very nice people, although I only got to know one of them at all well, but all three walked hunch shouldered, stared at the ground a lot, and spoke in a whisper. So when I think of the name, I think of a lack of self confidence and self assertiveness that I've never really had. It takes a fair amount of comfort with yourself and self confidence to be as quirky as I choose to be.
Does it make a difference? Well, it might. Actors used to change their names for a reason, because people think differently about different names. Would I think differently about myself? I'm not sure. I never think of myself by name now, because I just don't like it.
poster:Dinah
thread:318879
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040219/msgs/318975.html