Real names, maiden names, married names, nicknames, stage names.
My first husband and I were so well known by our nicknames that a few people didn't come to our wedding as when they received their invitations with our real names on, they simply had no idea who we were.
I changed my name to his when I married the first time, and our daughter had the same name, and I liked that the three of us shared a name. But things change, divorce happened and I returned to my birth name.
I gained more stage names. Parma Violet, which over time became Parma Violent. Then Fran Cisco. The latter stuck so well that I have plenty of friends that call me Fran still, even tho the band I used that moniker in stopped sometime ago.
But I have other names too. I have had three legal names and a plethora of aliases that would suggest a life more intriguing and secretive than the reality it reflects. I have one name at the bank, and a different one for the council. I should really get my arse in gear and be the same person everywhere. But paperwork is dull and scary.
Mostly I will answer to anything. Any of the names I have gone by, Mum, terms of endearment, terms of abuse, and a simple 'oi, you'.
I don't feel defined by my name, hence I am happy to have several! Different hats for different roles. I love stage names, I may be shy, but Fran Cisco is less so. It's like playing a role. I wonder which name is the real me? Or maybe they all are!! I should have different names for different moods and occasions...
Maud-Lynn Downmouth - for those melancholy days.
Vendelicia Du Bois - for when I write that romance novel, or any day where I am wearing a frilly bed jacket and too much rouge.
Frances Bellinger - that will be my name when I get round to writing a serious thesis on something. Not sure what my topic will be yet, perhaps 'Feminism and its effects on crop rotation', or 'The singles of The Damned 1979-1981', or maybe 'Cheese- Why Cheddar is best.'
The Venerable Queen of All Things - this is the one I shall make my children address me as. Yes.
Tipsy O'Leary - particularly suited to drunken girls nights out, where cackling over vino occurs, scaring all men within hearing shot. She is VERY loud.
Sonya Cisco - Blogger Extraordinaire, slightly plump Princess of Biscuits, spouter of nonsense masquerading as a writer.
How many names do you go by? And what name would you choose if you could?
Ok A dim drunken memory is with me... I think maybe I saw you play live - in a previous unmummy, misspent life!
ReplyDeleteooh intriguing! Misspent lives are the most fun!
DeleteHaving had three surnames, every now and then I get caught out (usually in the presence of officialdom) and forget what I'm actually called or how to sign my name. That's a bugger!
ReplyDeleteI signed the back of my debit card with the wrong name.... luckily in these chip and pin days nobody has ever noticed!!
DeleteWhat a great post - loved reading this - and loving those names. I had a DJ moniker, and you are so right, it does bring out a different persona!
ReplyDeletethank you! Have just tweeted you to find out what your DJ name is- nosey huh!! :)
DeleteI have about 3 that are regularly used and I use both my maiden and my married surname...I was too lazy to change it everywhere. Then there's the nicknames my uncle and gran gave me that have stuck 30+ years! My friends regularly like to laugh at those...I won't say what they are though :)
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of different names for different days. I still occasionally use my maiden name as well as my married name. I've had a few nicknames along the way too.
ReplyDeleteI love Maud Lynn Downmouth, brilliant! I only have the one other name really. Raquel xx
ReplyDeleteMostly and usually just Mummy think I need an alias! X
ReplyDelete