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 My First Cousin, or Myself, title page, 1909. Why do we call someone named Robert by the nickname Bob? Or why does Elizabeth become Betty? Turns out, it's all about "happiness and prosperity."
In Annie Barnadi's epistolary novelette My First Cousin, or Myself, the character Annie explains the latest California custom to her cousin, Mary Ann.
NEWPORT BAY, May 2, 1908.
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Mary Ann, I found out when I was in Los Angeles, everybody who is anybody, don't call themselves by long disagreeable, ugly Christian names, any more. You see, a young lady's name has more to do with her happiness and prosperity than we are apt to imagine. Your name is top-heavy, Mary Ann. I am going to call you Marie, Mamy, May, May me, Mae or Mollie, or Mazie, or Minnie, when you write let me know which one of the above names you prefer. In the meantime I will call you Mae it is so short, you know. You should have changed your name long ago and insured yourself, against the peril of ridicule. You can no more exercise your reason if you live in the constant dread of laughter than you can enjoy your life if you are in the constant terror of death.
You ought to have your mother prosecuted, for naming you Mary Ann Josephine Hose.
Annie Barnardi's My First Cousin, or Myself was published in 1909.
–Contributed by Alicia K. Gonzales.
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