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Because of sports, I am no longer Elizabeth

As strange as it may seem, my real name is not actually Eli [although everyone from Mr. Thomas to occasionally my mom (who detests the nickname) calls me this]. If you’re just now realizing my actual name is Elizabeth, it’s fine; I can assure you you’re not alone.

Despite several people’s claims that they were the original Eli-callers, here’s the actual story: when I was in eighth grade, a girl on my club soccer team concocted the nickname Eli because my team had decided the mouthful of “Elizabeth” was too long and too hard to say on the field. So Eli I was and, for better or worse, still am.

Yeah, it’s not a very good story.

But, this leads me to another point: this phenomenon of name-shortening frequently originates from sports teams. When I started thinking about it, the varsity soccer team has shortened every person on the team’s name to fit our on-the-field communicative needs.

Maegan Kelly is Maegz. Kerry Cummings is Ker. Karson Kuhlmann is Kars and Taylor Brown is Tay. Katie Beirne is Beirne, Katelyn Devine is Devino, Avery Adams is Ave(s) and Mary Warwick is Mar. Cele Fryer is Cele (but her real name is Cecelia), Sophia Garozzo is Soph, Megan Lankford is Lang and Caroline Gray is Carol. Megan Wilkerson is Wilk(y), Ava Jurden is Midge to some, but Ave to me (although this does get confusing with Aves), Megan Lewis is Lewis and Mickey Redlingshafer is Mick. Peepers Gray is P or Peep, Morgan Trees is Morg(z) and Molly Kenney is Moll(z).

We use these nicknames because some names (like Elizabeth) are just too hard to say when you want the ball and you want it now ‘“ there’s no time for four (or even three) -syllabled names (plus the nicknames create a nice contrast to Coach Siegel bellowing our full names when we make mistakes). And with three Megans and one Maegan on the team, nicknames are vital to discrepancy.

In all honesty, I don’t mind being called Eli; I actually kind of like it. Its quick, short, attention grabbing and I don’t know another person with the same name; it’s original.

However, it’s not a name I want to be stuck with for the rest of my life just because people can’t say my real name on the soccer field. When I’m 40 years old, I would like to be called Elizabeth and not Eli. Actually, I was shooting for more like when I’m in college I would like to be called Elizabeth and not Eli, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen, especially since I’m playing soccer.

I just don’t want people to mistake me for a boy (like when Julia Barnett’s boyfriend thought I was a guy because he made the logical assumption that Eli was a boy’s name and he was confused as to why Eli’s mom was letting ‘him’ have all of the girls spend the night after a school dance instead of the boys) or for people to think I’m two different people ‘“ Elizabeth and Eli (trust me, it’s happened) and I’m tired of my mom making embarrassing productions about how she named me Elizabeth and not Eli, how Elizabeth is such a beautiful name, how she tried to keep me Elizabeth all these years and how, out of all the nicknames for Elizabeth, I came to be known as Eli, blah, blah, blah.

For better or for worse, to some people, I will always be Eli; that’s just how it is; sports altered my name.

But the bottom line is that although nicknames are all fun and games, that is where they should stay: at the games.

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  • M

    MollieMar 31, 2010 at 11:58 pm

    Our columns are twins!

    and honestly i think i either call you Eli or full on Elizabeth Wilson haha

    Reply
  • A

    AdamsMar 31, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    umm actually everyone refers to me as “master” or “ma’am” and on occasion, “your highness.”

    on and off the field.

    Reply