What's in a name?

When I was young some family friends wanted to call me Dani. My Dad gave an adamant no to that idea. He liked my full, feminine name. When I was about 12 and was going through that stage of trying to assert my independence and wishing to shape who I was becoming I wanted to change my name to Danie because it was cute and strong and maybe, it could be me. As most nicknames that you create for yourself, it didn't stick. Consequently, I never really had any nicknames until I was in late high school and university. I've pretty much always been just Danielle in most circles.


So when one group of friends started calling me Sidekick D and another Dilly, I was pretty esctatic! I was like everyone else! I had a nickname! In England people called me Daniellabella. A friend even booked a flight under the name Daniella because he thought that was my name!


Now here I am in Australia and working as a waitress. To them, I am Dani. I've worked there for about a month and a half and I'm just now getting used to being called that. I've never associated myself with that name so I had to train myself to respond. It's still strange to hear myself answering the phone by my new name. 

The website Kabalarian Philosophy believes that your name can define your personality. I plugged in both of my current options to see...

• Your name, Danielle, gives you a friendly, poised, affectionate nature with a quick, discerning mind.
• You enjoy working with and organizing the efforts of others, but sometimes, a lack of confidence, indecisiveness, and even idleness can spoil your initiatives. 
• However, you depend upon others for support and encouragement. 
• Appreciating quality and knowing the value of money, you desire to be financially successful and to enjoy life's comforts. 
• You want to make money in easier ways than through arduous work.
• While the name Danielle creates the urge to organize and work with others, we point out that it causes an over-emphasis on material things that frustrates higher humanitarian qualities. 

• Your first name, Dani, creates an independent, determined, and persevering nature.
• You desire to work on your own or at least where you are making your own decisions.
• You enjoy working with your hands and can be resourceful and inventive along practical lines.
• Being much focused on your pursuits, at times you overlook the personal considerations and attentions that create understanding and companionship with others.
• This name causes you to suffer with self-consciousness in new situations and an inability to be diplomatic when situations warrant.
• You are loyal in friendships and express candidly.
• You enjoy outdoors activities with a few close friends.
• Although the name Dani creates the urge to be creative and original, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others.
   

I'm not sure which one is more accurate. I'm not sure if I am a Dani in my heart, but that's my name for the moment.