What's in a name?

Austrians are really into nicknames.

I don't quite get it myself. I was skeptical when students asked me what my nickname was at the beginning of the year, and surprised when they told me everyone - everyone - has a nickname in Austria.

I had to tell them, simply, that I go by Vanessa. Period.

I do not have some odd variant or shortened pseudonym. But, in Austria, this is weird. Why go by your full name, which is confusing and repetitive (since 80% of them share their name with some Catholic saint), when you can go by something much more fun? And personalized?

For example:
Johann/Johannes/Hans = Hansi, Hannes, Hansel, Jo-Jo.
Franz = Franzi, Fritz
Georg = Gegi, Girgl, Jorgi, Schorschi (only in Vienna)


Magdalena = Maggi, Lena, Leni, Maxi
Anna = Anja, Anka, Nanna, Nannerl (for older women)
Elisabeth = Lissi, Lieserl, Sisi, Betti, Elsi

...and so forth.

If there is more than one Johann in class, one is Hansi and the other is Jo-Jo...keeping in mind that the kids stay in the same class from practically the beginning of their school careers, these monikers are something they will have for the rest of their lives, presumably, and, thus, careful thought should be gone into how one would like to be called. The kids' absolute favorite thing is to call each other by their nicknames to confuse me (because I only have a list of their given names). But I can outsmart them yet! Wait until I start using "Schnapsi" and "Kobi" and "Lieserl" and "Topsi" on them...

Nothing freaks out a teenager like a teacher knowing what they're up to...mwahaha!

"Hey, Vanessa - No, Not You. The Other One"

I'm one of those people who grew up with relatively few people sharing my name.

Unlike all the "Sarahs" and "Katies" and "Emilys" etc., etc. I spent the first seven years of school never running into another Vanessa. This made me feel special. And unique. And, ultimately, superior.

Much as I hate to admit it now, I was  - for better or worse - possessive of my name. When I met my first "other" Vanessa in 7th grade, I was a bit taken aback. And uninterested in being friends with her. Because she stole my name.

Now, I have been over this stupid complex for quite a while. I bump into other Vanessas now and then...but none more than in Europe. Although the name "Vanessa" has been in the top 100 baby name list in the USA since the 1970s, it seems as if Wisconsinites prefer to give their daughters different names - like variations on Catherine (Katherine, Catrina/Katrina, Katie, Caitlin, Katelyn, etc., ad nauseum) as an example.

However, I think - in general - the name Vanessa is a more popular one in Europe. Why do I say this? I keep bumping into other people with my name. Not that I mind, or anything. But it does lead to some confusion. Especially, as the English assistant, I hear my name being called by students all the time - for help, to answer a question, and so forth. But more often than not, that, "Hey, Vanessa!" I hear in the hallway is intended for another student.

The time has come to shrug it off. Or, perhaps ask myself - who am I, really?