I have a considerably common name: Catherine. There are many variations to this name like Katherine, Cathryn, Kathryn, Catherin, etc. You get the picture. It can get pretty confusing on how someone spells their name and it gets more confusing when there are more than one in the same place. For a better part of my elementary education, I had at least one other “Katherine” or “Catherine” in my class. We were differentiated by our last name initial, so for the longest time, I was Catherine H. I had many nicknames, including Cat, Kitty, Chicken, Cathy, Cath, Kit Kat, you name it. I was called just about anything under the sun for Catherine, except for Catie because my older sister’s name is Caitlin.
The problem was never responding to the wrong call though. It was always getting people to spell my name right. It still is a problem! I have made it a lot easier on people now as well and I go by just “Cat.” Three letters. Pretty easy. OR SO I THOUGHT. On Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, Email, everything you can possibly imagine where I might have my name READILY AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO REFERENCE, people do not bother to think “Hm, maybe she spells it like that. I will spell it how she spells it too.” NOPE. They like to spell it Kat or Katherine. How do you get a “K” from a “C?” I do not understand one bit of it. Even when I got to places and they ask me what my name is, I say “Cat with a ‘C’,” and they still manage to get it wrong. Not only that, but I have had friends ask if others are actually talking about me because they are so persistent in misspelling my name.
Because I can be petty AF, I have found ways to get back at people when they spell my name wrong. Here’s how:
1. Spell their name wrong too.
The classic move. It is pretty easy to change a couple letters or even move some of them around. You could easily say it was a typo or that you did not know better because that was their excuse, wasn’t it? Give them a taste of their own medicine! They can make any excuse they like, but it is so easy to double check before you press the “send” button! I cannot comprehend how someone can justify spelling another’s name wrong when the name is spelled out for you right on the screen!
2. Call them by the wrong name.
The not-so-subtle petty move! I mean, if they are spelling your name wrong, it isn’t really your name, so why not call someone by a name that isn’t theirs? Seems fair to me. I think when you do that, people finally get it in their heads that they have been spelling/calling you the wrong name all along.
3. Straight up ignore them.
The least subtle of them all, but it can definitely get the job done if you just point it out.
No, it definitely is not the end of the world if someone spells your name wrong but it can get quite annoying and tedious always having to correct someone. It also feels a little disrespectful if someone does not bother to check how you spell your name. It takes just a couple more steps to make sure it’s right!
