Onomastics or onomatology is the study of the origin, history and use of proper names.
A lot of people have names that can be twisted, shortened or added to. Catherine is shortened to Cathy, Cath or maybe Cat. Jonathan is changed to John, Johnny and I’ve even heard Nathan.
Some people don’t mind if others shorten or change their names and in some cases they change it themselves. Others, like myself, prefer to use all syllables of my name.
What irritates me is when acquaintances take it upon themselves to change my name without permission. They’ll randomly start calling me Chris or Chrissie … that’s not my name. My name is Christine and that’s what I prefer. If I wanted to be called Chris or Chrissie I’d introduce myself as such.
I know it’s a small thing in the whole scheme of things but a name is important and shouldn’t be messed with, don’t you think?
Disclaimer … close friends and family are, of course, exempted. I like to think they’re changing my name out of affection. Or are they? Hmmm.
Until the next time.
It used to bother me a lot when people took the 'a' off the end of my name and replaced it with an 'e.' Diana feels and sounds so different from Diane, which I was called as a child. Now I see it as their problem, not mine. The goddess lives in me and if they can't acknowledge her, it's their loss.
I understand how you feel, but with a name like Gail, there aren't many alternatives. When I was younger, (MUCH), thinking I would have kids, wanted to give them multi syllabic names so they could choose to go with either the full name or any version they felt suited their personality.