It's all in the name

Although when I was young my family called me (my Mom still does) and I answered to Steve ever since I turned 21 I've introduced myself as Stephen. For the last 32 years, then, the only people who call me Steve instead of Stephen have been Mom, some family and family friends who have known me since before I turned 21, and a certain number of people who are clueless and never seem to notice that I never introduce myself as Steve and always answer the phone or identify myself as Stephen. I've worked with some people for about 8 years now who are in that clueless category.

This never really was too much of a problem at work, because I was able to wear a nametag that said Stephen and not Steve. A while back, however, my employer decided that we needed to wear our official employee ID as a nametag--and my employer takes your official name from your Social Security card. Since I got my card when I was 15 or 16, it of course says Steve.

So this past Friday I finally went in to my local (not in the sense of nearby but only in the sense of being the nearest of the few that are in this part of the county where I live) SS office. I waited there for about an hour and a half for business that took less than 5 minutes. When I get my new card in the mail, it will have my name as Stephen, as does my birth certificate, passport, and driver's license. I can then go in to the payroll office at work and have them make the change, and then get a new employee ID that says Stephen.

The funny thing about the whole process? The guy at the Social Security office said I've always been in their database as Stephen; back when I got my card, the local office had the option of typing your nickname on the pre-numbered card they issued you.

I will answer to any full version of my name. Stephen (pronounced Steefen or Steeven) is the usual Engilsh, Irish or American version of the name. If you're feeling Greek, you may call be by the original version of the name, Stephanos which is Greek for crown. If you're feeling Slavic or Balkan I'll answer to Stefan. If you're feeling French, I'll answer to Etienne, or to Esteban if you're feeling Spanish or Latin American. But please, don't call me Steve (although I'll probably answer you anyway).


SMC