For some reason, in the years 1994-2000 everyone decided that they wanted to name their kid "Kaitlyn". I mean, I don't really see the appeal, but man was this name popular.
My name is Caitlin, and living with this name has cursed me all my life.
First off, there are probably a hundred different ways to spell this name. The most popular ones are Kaitlyn, Caitlyn, Caitlin, Kaitlin, and Katelyn. But seriously I've seen some weird ass spellings, like Katelynn (it's so literal), Caetlin, Katelin, Kaitlynn, etc. Pretty much any combination of those letters can spell my name.
Because there are literally so many ways to spell my name, people always end up spelling it the using the wrong way (and it doesn't help that my last name is also hard to spell).
I've gotten to the point when people ask me how to spell my name, I just say "with a 'C' and an 'I,'" and they understand.
Now my mom chose the spelling of my name so people wouldn't shorten my name to a nickname easily. Well despite my mom's intentions, I have still gotten called a shit load of nicknames, no matter how many times I tell people I liked to be called "Caitlin." I've been called Katie, Caddy, Kate, and Cici.
Because this name is so damn popular for my age, I was always surrounded by other Caitlins. In elementary school, there was never a year that I didn't have another Caitlin in class with me. In elementary school, I was always "Caitlin C." or "Caitlin with a C." I didn't know how to respond to anything different.
One awesome thing about there being so many of us with this name is that we truly do stick together. in elementary school, I had a close friend names Katelynn. My best friend for the past 8 years is named Caitlyn ( we're going to write a memoir about our friendship called "Caitli/yn").
It's super funny when I introduce her to new people as my best friend, and they ask what her name is and I say "Caitlyn." Everyone is always hella confused.
No matter how terrible a person you are, if your name is Caitlin, Caitlyn, Kaitlyn, Katelyn, Kaitlin, etc., I love you. You understand the struggle of having this name.
No matter how annoying this name is though, I would never change it. Don't call me Kate, Katie, Caddy, or whatever bullshit nickname can be contrived from my name.
I am CAITLIN, with "C" and an "I."