Evolution of a Name

I go by one appellation: Ninja Head. Concise, descriptive. No other moniker necessary.

Herself has a relatively formal and slightly lengthy first name. For the sake of discussion, we’ll use: Leeloo Minai Lekarariba-Laminai-Tchai Ekbat De Sebat (or LMLLTEDS).

When Herself was in grade school, she was called by this full first name by family, teachers and peers. Except for a few weeks at camp one summer -- when she went by “Frank,” after tiring of repeating her seemingly unmemorable name for the millionth time -- LMLLTEDS she remained until eighth grade.

A change of school provided an opportunity for a new designation. Something less stuffy, more casual. “Leeloo.” Herself used Leeloo throughout high school, college, and graduate school. She met Beloved Husband during this phase.

When Herself entered the work force, it was time to resume use of the punctilious full name – an attempt to lend Maturity and Significance to her employment. Since then, Herself has juggled both LMLLTEDS and Leeloo, depending on the audience. Old friends and family, clients and coworkers, and new acquaintances: LMLLTEDS. High school/college/internet friends, Beloved Husband, and in-laws: Leeloo.

An oddity has risen on occasion. For example, when Herself began tae kwon do, she typically introduced herself to her new acquaintances as LMLLTEDS. Yet Beloved Husband refers to her as Leeloo when speaking with these individuals (and, in fact, it would seem quite strange if he were to call her LMLLTEDS). As Herself and Beloved Husband have become friends with the people at the gym, there has been a gradual and spontaneous changeover from the use of LMLLTEDS to Leeloo.

Why does she continue to use LMLLTEDS? Why not switch to referring to herself as Leeloo, since the natural progression is in its direction? There is, in fact, a certain logic at work.

The closest analogy appears to be the separation between the formal and the familiar: Usted and Tu; Vous and Tu; LMLLTEDs and Leeloo. Her full name is her shield: it has more gravitas, and is better in accord with her normally serious and slightly shy demeanor. Those to whom she introduces herself as LMLLTEDS are typically held at arm’s length. Clients and workplace individuals will always be subject to this more solemn treatment. Unknown individuals are handled with similar procedures.

Over time, though, increased rapport with a new person affords her the opportunity to step out of her protective shell a bit. Since her closest companion –Beloved Husband – refers to her as Leeloo, the name has become a signpost of familiarity. Those who employ Leeloo have been let within her personal sphere. She is comfortable with them.

There are exceptions, of course. Her family, and those who have known her from the years when she had only single digits in her age, will forever think of her as LMLLTEDS; and once in a while, a new friend will stick with LMLLTEDS since it was the first name presented when they met. Conversely, there are a few individuals who call her Leeloo despite her reticence with them (and that is a most unwelcome scenario). Fortunately there is also a simple test to determine accurately a person’s degree of familiarity with Herself:

Would she spontaneously bake muffins for that individual?

Leeloo people are muffin-worthy.