I have two names: the name that appears on my birth certificate, which I use at work and on important documents; and a sort of 'nickname' that is not official but is used by my relatives. Many of them think the nickname is my given name. A few years ago, a friend told me that before I was born, my parents had chosen my given name, but they had a neighbour who liked another name...the name that is my nickname. After I was born, this neighbour called me by the name that she liked and my parents did the same. I grew up being called one name all day in school and a different name at home and with family. I joke that that's why I'm so confused as an adult. For many years, I was ashamed of my given name, until I met the man who became my husband. He kept telling me how beautiful it is and I grew to believe it.