While we can't choose our names from birth, we always have the option to pick out our own when we reach adulthood. That's exactly what one man is considering after spending too many years of his life having his name mistaken for a "derogatory word".
The man, called Mitchell, believes the full version of his name sounds "so childish and dorky" - and the shortened version, which is what he uses most often, rhymes with a swear word. He said: "I hate introducing myself to people, I hate telling people what my name is. Occasionally, someone will mistake me for saying the word b**** when I tell them my name.
"I try and brush it off and forget about it but it definitely annoys me when it happens and I can't help but feel embarrassed."
He went on to explain how he "slightly resents" his parents for calling him Mitchell, especially since his brothers were given "cool names".
"I just don't understand what the f*** was going through my parents' heads when they decided to give me my name," he added on Reddit.
"I have three brothers, I'm the second-oldest, and they all have cool names that don't rhyme with any degrading words, like b****.
"I love all my brothers' names but I can't stand mine.
"I don't understand why my parents couldn't give me a cool name like they did for the rest of my brothers. If I ever have my own children, I will never do such a thing to them."
He claims his dislike for his name caused him to develop a lack of confidence in himself, which has followed him through his life.
Mitchell said: "I truly believe that the name you give your kid can really shape how their life plays out.
"If you give them a cool name, that may give them more confidence starting from childhood therefore that kid turns out to be successful later in life because they enjoy meeting new people and telling them their name.
"If it's a memorable name, people will remember that person and it likely would be beneficial.
"On the other hand, if you give your kid an unattractive name, or one that can easily rhyme with some stupid word, then that can lower that kid's confidence from the get-go.
"They may be an easy target for other kids to make fun of. If they're hesitant to introduce themselves to people, that could have a detrimental impact on their success."
While most users urged him to go through with a name change, others shared their feelings towards their own names and the impact they've had on their lives.
One user said: "I've got a pretty popular name, and it gets pretty annoying. I'll be at the store or anywhere in public and someone will shout my name trying to get someone else's attention.
"I'll look for the person shouting my name until I realise that it is useless to even respond. It happens at least two to three times a day."
Another user added: "Your name totally shapes your life. I've got a non western name which means people try to make a joke and say gibberish when I introduce myself rather than genuinely try and risk getting it wrong. I've got some self esteem issues which I'm still dealing with."
A third user said: "I hate my name too. My real legal name is not an English name and it sounds like the phrase dish soap in my home country.
"Now I live in America so barely anyone can pronounce it right, and when everyone tries to pronounce it ends up sounds disgusting.
"Even though I go by an English name but you know, some people still call me by my real stupid name."
Do you have a strange story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
