I used to tell people that my parent's gave me a difficult name to spite me. It was a joke. They were probably pleased with their choice. I'm not sure if they were aware of the scrutiny and torment I would experience in my life because of it.
At some point I realized it would be best if I gave myself a typical nick name. It worked out well from middle school to high school. I was over doing that by the time I went to college it was back to my given name again. It was easier for people to adapt by then but I had to change it back to the typical nick name after I graduated so that I could actually get a job. I'm not saying I was discriminated against but I'm not exactly sure if it was a coincidence that I received responses only after I changed my name.
Fast forward many years later and someone told me she wanted to call me by my given name. I really do appreciate her for that, I truly do. Then she asked me how my name is pronounced and she came up with a combination of the nick name (Vanessa) and the given name(Benafsha) which resulted in "Vinesh." I thought I heard it all but this was truly the most creative and original.
