Preffered name or Legal name on school work.?

I'm not sure if you are in the U.S. or Britain or somewhere else, but I'll tell you my experience in America, in Jefferson County Schools in Kentucky.

In elementary school (grades 1-6) and in middle school (7-8), I used my preferred name, Ginny (my nickname). When I got into high school (grades 9-12), I switched to my legal name, Virginia, though I could easily have used my nickname, Ginny, still. There was a reason.

As I grew up in the school system, there were many Jenny's, and even in church, one of my teachers was named Genny (so she misspelled my name on a craft I was making). I called myself Virginia so I wouldn't be turning my head every time someone called for "Jenny." Also, in High School, I was changing my attitude, because I knew I would be going to University, so it would look more professional to use my legal name, and much more elegant. And it would be such a hassle to tell each and every professor to call me "Ginny." So I made it easy on all my teachers by keeping my legal name, and, in the process, it was easier to distinguish who was asking for my attention.

This worked in most cases. The only place it didn't work was when I went to work at a discount retail store, K-Mart. There were two Reginas, there. Regina and Virginia sound a lot alike, so I couldn't win. (bleah!) In fact, one of my supervisors thought my name really *was* Regina! Oh, well.

I kinda feel sorry for all the John's in the world. :)

I write my legal name to sign my checks: My legal given name and my legal surname. I use my middle initial. My father used his legal name on his checks by signing out all three legal names. But he socially went by his nickname, Terry, short for his middle name, Terrence. I use my middle initial because my middle name is as long as my first name, and there's only so much space on a check--and other forms don't give as much space as on a check.

My mother gave me long names on purpose: she didn't want anyone using both names like Barbara Ann, Peggy Sue, Bobbie Joe, Kathy Lee or other such combinations. It could be done with my name, but you'd have to work on it.

Professionalism is why I used my legal name. Politicians use their legal names, but they are often known as certain nicknames to their friends and communities. Thus, they will get them legally changed so that when they appear on the voting ballot, their familiar names will be on there. To wit: "Happy" Chandler, Mitch McConnell, Greg "Grady" Stumbo, and others.

You can't go wrong writing your legal name on your papers, and it will be easier for your teachers to record your grades. I found it more professional, and I felt I got in the good graces of the teachers when I did it. Besides, it is practice for the commercial world we live and move in every day.

I must say I felt pretty cool when my high school band director (also the director of the 202nd Division Army Band) called me "Miss Kidd." I felt so grown up! :D

It's probably whatever your teacher prefers or whatever is on the school documents.