And some people DO change their names.  My parents named me "Cindy" when I was born.  I legally changed it to the long form - Cynthia - in university because it was more "proper" and "formal."  "Cindy" equated with a not-so-smart "Valley Girl" or a character from the movie "Clueless," while "Cynthia" was a smart, sophisticated university grad.  "Cynthia" would be taken more seriously by HR departments.