Hello, my double name is I make a lot of phone calls in my profession, and they always go something like, "Hi, this is Anna Claire Vollers, I'm a reporter for AL.
Inevitably at some point, the person asks, "Now what's your name again? It's a double name. This always happens. For the longest time, I'd just tell the person on the other end of the phone that my name is Anna. Everyone understands Anna. I don't have to repeat it or spell it.
I'd do the same when I gave my name to a restaurant hostess or the dude making my coffee or anyone else with whom I was having a brief, impersonal interaction. But in the past year or so, I've become uncomfortable doing that. Names have power. That sounds kind of new-agey and kooky, but I've found it to be true.
Calling myself something else - even if it's my legal first name - feels like I'm talking about someone else. Or like I'm not worth the extra few seconds it will inevitably take me to repeat my name or explain it. So about six months ago, I stopped trying to make it easier on everyone else. Since then, as I've been giving my double name to phone sources and Starbucks baristas, I've felt - there's really not another word for it - empowered. Recently a coworker asked if I ever answer to Anna.
Anna Claire is what I go by, what I've always gone by, and what everyone who's ever known me well calls me. It's my first and middle names. It is not hyphenated. I'm not named after anyone; my parents just liked it. I love my name. But it's annoying to explain. But I think it's beautiful. But sometimes I think double names sound pretentious. But but but. We hear double names more often in the South; I think it's because we like to name our kids after family members and don't want to leave anyone out.
