Hilal Ahmad Bhat
A nickname, in some circumstances also known as a “Tathneer”, which is a substitute for the proper name of a person, place, or thing.] A nickname may be a descriptive and based on characteristics, or it be a variant form of a proper name. Nicknames may be used for convenience by shortening a name, or it may be used to express affection, playfulness, contempt, or to reflect a particular character trait. A legal/ real name or wallet name is the name that identifies a person for legal, administrative and other official purposes. A person’s legal birth name generally is the name of the person that is given for the purpose of registration of the birth and which then appears on a birth certificate but may change subsequently. Most jurisdictions require the use of a legal/real name for all legal and administrative purposes, and some jurisdictions permit or require a name change to be recorded at marriage. The legal name may need to be used on various government issued documents (e.g., a court order). The term is also used when an individual changes their name, typically after reaching a certain legal age (usually eighteen or over, though it can be as low as fourteen in several European nations). A person’s legal name typically is the same as their personal name, comprising a given name and a surname. The order varies according to culture and country. There are also country-by-country differences on changes of legal names by marriage. (See married name). Most countries require by law the registration of a name for newborn children, and some can refuse registration of “undesirable” names. To choose between a real name and a nickname, decide based on context: for professional settings like a resume, use your legal/real name or a nickname with your legal name.
“Most countries legally require the registration of a name for newborn children and may refuse “undesirable” choices. In professional contexts (like a resume), it is recommended to use your legal/real name or a nickname clearly associated with it.”
For more personal or online platforms, choose the name you prefer and be consistent, but if privacy is a concern, opt for other name/nickname instead of your real name. For professional and official use:-
• Professional Documents: Use your real name. For a resume or any type of applications, you can use your real name .
• Professional Introductions: Politely inform people of your preferred name.
• Official Documents: You can use different names on official documents if you choose, but it is wise to use your real name on formal documents like passports and driving licenses and mostly on your identity cards.
If people are not respecting your preference
• Friends And Family: People who care about you will respect your preference. If they refuse to use your preferred name, it may be a sign that they don’t deserve to be in your life.
• Introductions: Introduce yourself clearly with your preferred name. If someone still insists on using your old name, a gentle reminder may be helpful.
Use Of Real Name And Nickname
• On A Resume: Use your real name and then if you need to mention use the “Nickname”
• In A Career: Make use of your real name as it will be be your identification later on.
Online And Social Media
• Social Media: Use your nickname for more personal accounts. For professional platforms like LinkedIn, you can put your real name first, followed by your nickname.
• Online Profiles: Some platforms allow you to use a preferred or nickname as your display name. Check your account settings to change your display name.
Other considerations
• To introduce Yourself: You can simply introduce yourself by your nickname, most importantly with your nears and dears and ask others to use it.
• Legal Documents: On legal documents like passports, it is best to use your real name as it appears on your official identification.
(The author is a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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