While we can't choose our names from birth, we always have the option to change them later in life. That's exactly what one girl wants to do - but as she isn't old enough to legally change it, she's had to settle for second best.
However, not everybody is onboard with her name change, as her mum has revealed how her teacher outright refuses to use her preferred name in class. Taking to Reddit, the mum explained how her seven-year-old daughter, called Penelope, has always disliked her name - and has been going by the name Fiji since she was aged four instead.
She said: "When she was four she announced she hated the name Penelope because she didn't like how it sounds and it's too long.
"We figured it was a phase and said we'd call her whatever she wanted to be called. She announced she wanted to be called Fiji.
"I don't know where she got that [from], and I didn't particularly care because I figured she'd get bored of it after a few weeks.
"Three years later and since that day she's always gone by Fiji."
The mum went on to explain how all her family, friends and neighbours call her daughter by her preferred name - and it has hasn't been a problem at school until now.
"Her teachers have never had a problem calling her Fiji," she added. "We just started with a new teacher, and she outright refuses to call her anything but Penelope.
"She was hysterical when she got home because she hates the name and did not want it publicised to her new classmates.
"We went in to clear up what we were sure was a misunderstanding, and the teacher said she has a 'no nickname policy'.
"She said classrooms are formal and focused and nicknames detract from the learning environment because they bring in an element of causality that incites problems."
Trying to reach a middle ground, the mum ask whether she'd call her daughter Pen instead - but again, the teacher refused.
She said: "Pen is not her favourite thing to be called but it is strongly preferred to Penelope.
"The teacher again refused and said if we didn't like the name, we shouldn't have used it.
"I'm concerned that it seems totally lost on her that it's our daughter's preference we're concerned about and we aren't using her as a mouthpiece for some bizarre nickname agenda.
"She's come home extremely distraught every day since and I’m at a loss as to what to do.
"I'm wondering if I should just try and get her class changed. If she already won't call her by her name of choice I can only imagine what other problems may be coming down the road."
While most users slammed the teacher for not using the child's preferred name, others urged the mum to speak to the headteacher about the situation.
One user said: "I’d go to the principal and try to change her class. That teacher is going to be nothing but problems."
Another user added: "Switch teachers. I'd definitely have a meeting with the principal and teacher. It's affecting your daughter's mental health at this point."
A third user said: "I'm a teacher and she’s out of her mind. If a child wanted me to call her a nickname, I'd do it."
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