Saturday, January 16, 2016

How Annie became Annie

A reader discovered that my daughter Annie's real name is Diana and wondered how and why she made the change. Annie herself has graciously agreed to answer.

There has been an inquiry about my going by Annie rather than Diana. Most of you probably had no idea that my name was Diana unless you've either a) known me since birth b) are a friend of mine or c) have read my father's book (so that's what like two of you?). There was no "Kafka-esque metamorphosis". It was more of a Bruce Wayne/Batman secret identity thing although now that its been revealed I guess my crime-fighting days are over. So you are all to blame when Two-Face starts wreaking havoc again.

Actually my parents always called me "Annie." Other delightful nicknames include Dow Chemical, Porntip and Youngster Fishman. So its not too surprising that I chose to go by Annie instead. Though you're all welcome to call me "Porntip."
This is a repost from five years ago.  

13 comments :

Anonymous said...

Did you see the Jenny Craig commercial with Kirstie, John and George?

blinky said...

My son Michael went by Mookie for a year or so when he was 5 or 6. After pinch hitter Mookie (Swing at the first pitch) Wilson.

Anonymous said...

Ken, why did you start calling her "Annie" instead of "Diane," then? Was Annie her middle name? And how old was she when you began to call her "Annie" that she grew to become more comfortable identifying with "Annie" than "Diane"? --Orleanas

mmryan314 said...

I had so many nicknames when I was a child I lost track of my given name.When I started school I distinctly remember a nun calling out a name and no one answered. After about the third try, I picked up the cue of the last name and raised my hand. I went home that day and said to my mother, " Why didn`t you tell me my name was Mary?" I insisted henceforth on using my real name.

Charles H. Bryan said...

I can't speak for the other reader, but I really enjoyed your dad's books.

Todd Everett said...

Diane Keaton's "real" name is Ann(ie)Hall.

Dan Ball said...

Annie:

You talk about the Bruce Wayne/Batman thing. Why not just go with Diana Prince? ;)

Breadbaker said...

Charles H. Bryan, I'm glad you can't speak for me, but I agree. I even have one of them autographed (the last one was sort of impossible to autograph since it was the Kindle version of the novel, but I don't think he mentions his daughter's real name there).

thirteen said...

Diana or Annie, that's one sweet smile.

CRL said...

Friday Question: Will the sun come up tomorrow?

YEKIMI said...

A Friday question and it's about the Jenny Craig ad mentioned at the top of the post. Since it's obviously meant to be set in the "Cheers" bar without actually mentioning it by name or calling John & George "Cliff" or "Norm"....does Jenny Craig/admakers have to get permission/pay to do sort of a "knockoff" version of a Cheers setup or were they sorta scraping by legally by not really mentioning any names, etc of the characters?

Mike said...

I'm assuming that Dow Chemical references the catastrophic gas leak in Bhopal, India in 1984.

Bryan Thomas said...

Forget going from Diana to Annie. How the heck does one get a nickname like “porntip”?