Kaitlynn v. Kitty

Incase you don’t know, my real name is Kaitlynn. Surprise! However, I say that in the most literal sense. Can I really call “Kaitlynn” my REAL name when I’ve never gone by it? As my mother likes to say “I always loved the name Kitty, but I thought I would name you Kaitlynn incase you ever wanted to change it.” So in my 23 years, I’ve never truly gone by the name.

Aside from the looks I get from fellow classmates at a new school when I proceed to inform my professor “Uh, I go by Kitty.” followed with “Yes sir, like the cat.” I do prefer the name. Why?

Lets think about all those great “Kitty”s out there! Of course there is:

Miss Kitty from Gunsmoke

(if you don’t know who this is, you must be under 40)

Kitty from that 70s show

(if you know who this is, you must be under 40)

Hello Kitty

(she wears a bow in her hair, I’ll give her props for that!)

What in the world am I getting at? Well for a number of years I have considered the following:

1. Dropping the nickname and going by my “birth” name

2. Sticking with the nickname (obviously what I’ve chosen so far)

3. Make it legal! Why not get out the papers and just change it to Kitty!

So there we have my dilemma at present. My sister so lovingly pointed out that someone with the nickname “Kitty” isn’t someone you would want as your lawyer in a case. (thanks sis) However, if it is legal, I doubt they would get the same reaction.  I’ll probably wait until I have to go through the process of changing my name anyway **parents, close your eyes I’m going to use the dreaded “M” word.** Yes, that would be eventually when I get married someday. If I have to be getting a new last name, why not just change the first while I’m at it!

I wont even get into the embarrassing moments I've had when a teacher calls on "Kaitlynn" and it takes multiple attempts to get my attention