My name is Aidan, and I'm a 24 year old guy. I come from a partially Scottish-American family, so, Aidan being a classic Scottish name, that is what my parents decided to name me.
I have always had trouble with my name. For as long as I can remember, people have been spelling my name wrong (Aiden, Aden, Ayden, Adin...). You'd be surprised how many different ways people have managed to spell my name.
Recently, it's gotten MUCH worse. Since, for the past five years or so, parents have been naming their kids variations of Aidan, I've been getting more and more trouble with my name. The misspellings have got even more frequent and outlandish (A co-worker wrote 'Aediyn' on a note directed to me last week).
Let me get to the point here: I am fed up with my name. I want to be called Dan, an abbreviation of my name, but I don't want to upset my proud family. Does anyone have any advice to help me break the news to them?
2007-08-08 04:49:16 · 28 answers · asked by Aidan L. 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I'm not planning on legally changing my name, just going by Dan, but I don't think it would matter to my family. (They'd view it as the same thing, it's just as serious to them)
I like the suggestion to introduce myself to new people as Dan, and just leave my family out of it. I think it would be much better that way. Thank you. :)
2007-08-08 05:02:39 · update #1
To the person who said that I must be 'bored' if different spellings of my name bother me: I'm not bored! People that I've known for three YEARS spell my name 'Adin'!
2007-08-08 05:04:57 · update #2
Tell them that your friends started calling you Dan for short and you like it. So you're going to "try it out" for a while. Doesn't mean you're going to change it permanently....
2007-08-08 04:52:39 · answer #1 · answered by I, Sapient 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, why do you go for the change of a name right away. From now on why don't you just introduce yourself as Dan. In no time people will start calling you that and there won't be any problem.
If you really thinking about changing your name in court, you should be honest with you family. Tell them that it really bothers you when people missprenounce your name and that you will feel much better being officialy called Dan. I think honesty is the best thing here. They might not be happy about it but it is after all your decision to make.
GOod luck
2007-08-08 11:53:59 · answer #2 · answered by Malgorzata B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look Aidan.
I know you hate it the fact that everyone is messing up ur name. All I can say is no matter how many times people mess it up or butchered your name, your name is you and you shouldn't change it just to be like every one else. Let me tell you something my middle name is Norka and in my country we go by our middle name and some how people have manage to call me Dorcas, Nounca and other Saddess thing for my H.S Grad this laddy gave me a cake Saying congrats Nounka. That's stinks, many times I thought about getting rid of this name. Now I'm 21 and when I think about this name has made me who I am today. So consider your name unique even though it has evolved, understand you might be the only one with this particular spelling and thats what makes it unique. Think about it. Besides and think it's a cute name.
2007-08-08 12:01:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a big deal. Many people choose their own nickname in adulthood. Sounds like this is a problem with co-workers and associates. Just don't tell the family. Let your family and close friends continue to call you the name your parents gave you. Tell those at work that due to confusion with others with the same name as yours, you now wish to be called Dan. Ask that your company email be changed as such, and begin signing all your work correspondences as Dan. People at work will catch on quickly, and your family is likely to be none the wiser or have hurt feelings as a result.
2007-08-08 11:56:58 · answer #4 · answered by tushanna_m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just let them know that since ppl get your name wrong most of the time you are going to go by the name Dan while your working or at school or by friends. I would tell them they can still call you Aidan if they like. Also let them know that you do not hate your name its just going to make it easier on you and the ppl you work around to go by Dan since everyone can say and spell that name. :) You might want to tell them that it makes you uncomfortable to correct ppl 90% of the time and this away you will be able to focus more on your work. They should understand and be able to respect you for this decision. Good Luck Dan!
2007-08-08 11:56:07 · answer #5 · answered by peaches_82_2001 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one can spell my name anymore and more and more people are using different spellings of my name Aidan so after a lot of thinking I decided I am going to change my name. My name is going to be Dan an abbreviation of Aidan.
2007-08-08 11:53:53 · answer #6 · answered by Yeahhhh 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How are you going to tell all your co-workers?? Why don't you just make people spell it right...most importantly...why do you care?? It's just a spelling. I like the name. I think it's very unique. There are plenty of Dan's out there. If you really feel the need to fade into the ever so popular world of the dan's out there...just come out and tell your family. It's your name.
2007-08-08 11:53:55 · answer #7 · answered by geminiqtpie22 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the sounds of 'a' and 'den' can be spelled so many different ways, that is your problem. but, if you want to be called Dan, then have your friends call you dan. Your family can call you aidan if they want, but you are 24 and can make your own decisions. You decide what to do. I hope i helped!
~c.t~
2007-08-08 11:56:05 · answer #8 · answered by caza_terra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have my friends and co-workers call me Dan and let your family call you Aidan. Personally Aidan is a beautiful name. I considered it when naming my child but like you stated it is way too popular now. I prefer is spelled Aden.
2007-08-08 11:54:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
After over thirty years, my grandmother STILL can't spell my name right and most of the time others can't either. So I shortened it down to "Jay" when I introduce myself to people. I tell them my given name, but say "everyone calls me Jay" and that pretty much does it. When someone slips, I remind them politely. Eventually it kicks in and everyone gets it.
BTW - having Scot blood myself, Aidan is a rockin' name but i completely get where you are coming from. Be as patient as you can, learning a new name can be hard on people.
Cheers!
2007-08-08 12:36:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should just stick with your name. It's hot and still kind of unique. You should be proud of you name. Dan is boring. If you do decide to change it just talk to them about it. They will most likely never call you Dan. That is not the name they gave you. I love your name in fact when I was having my kids that was our "boy" name of choice (we ended up with 3 girls).
2007-08-08 11:55:24 · answer #11 · answered by mystic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋