Nickname

-what's in a name...

Do you have a nickname? Call me Michelle and I probably won’t even turn my head even though it is my given and legal name.

“a nickname is the hardest stone that the devil can throw”

William Hazlitt

There were times in childhood I thought it to be true. In the 80’s there was a popular song on the radio, while the name was spelled differently, it didn’t matter, it sounded the same and was sung to me hundreds if not thousands of times. "Hey Mickey"

There is also a well known and very important mouse that goes by the same name, different spelling. He has a theme song, a few theme parks, he use to have a popular kids tv show and he is beloved worldwide.

I recently spent five days in a place that strictly called me Michelle, it was an interesting experience. I was named Michelle solely so that I could be nicknamed Miki, at least that’s what my Mom told me. She called me by my nickname 95% of the time. My legal name along with my middle name were only used when I was in trouble!

If you have a nickname, does everyone use it or only a select few. Mine started off as only a select few, close friends and family. Part of me thought when I went off to college I would strictly be Michelle from there on out. Turned out one of the first friends I made was also Michelle, and thus began being known as Miki to everyone and leaving Michelle behind forever, well, except for when only a legal name will do.

How did you get your nickname? My Mom shared with me a long, long time ago that she worked with a “Miki” at O-Hi Frosty when she was in high school, the idea set in at the time that she would name her daughter that but for some reason felt that it couldn’t be the name that went on my birth certificate. By the time I got more curious about the origin of my name, my Mom was well into her Alzheimer’s disease and it just wasn’t possible to explore anymore. There are many ways we get nicknames, a shortened version of our own name, something we did as a child that sparked a nickname, summer camp, sports teams and military service often hatch a nickname, as well as quirky things we do.

Sign here____________. Our signatures are generally used for legal and binding documents, so yes, I sign with my birth name. However, my signature will rival any doctors, so best of luck deciphering it or copying it. As an artists I sign my work with my nickname, after all it is the name I go by, respond to and promote my work with.

What’s your nickname? Or, what was it if you only had it for while? Often we outgrow them or perhaps we move away from the people that referred to us that way. Have you given someone a nickname?

“I’m done with the nicknames. Actually, when I obtain my doctorate, I will not allow people to call me Shaq anymore, either.”

Shaquille O’Neal

Apparently that’s a hard one to put a stop to. Though of no comparison, my college attempt failed too and I’m glad it did. I grew to appreciate my nickname, I love the connection and story it gave me from my Mom, especially now that she has passed. I still occasionally have that song sung to me but the famous mouse reference rarely comes up anymore. It’s crossed my mind to legally change my name but that was not the way my Mom intended so I’ll stick with her choice and try to remember to respond if someone calls me Michelle.