A five-year-old girl has convinced her parents to legally change her real name to the nickname she prefers. But giving someone an unexpected epithet can come fraught with problems

Determined things come in small packages. A five-year-old from Michigan who steadfastly rejected her name all her life has finally won her battle, convincing her parents to legally change it as a birthday present. In a now viral social media post, Amanda Biddle announced that she and husband, Dan, were giving in, and letting their daughter officially become what they have always called her instead – her nickname.

“She’s hated her name since she could talk,” Amanda said. “If we ever called her ‘Margaret’​ she would instantly say, ‘I’m not Margaret. I’m Maisie.’ She has always rejected the name Margaret despite my attempts at warming her up to it by turning it into a song that I always sang, and saying it at times when I would want her attention or if she’s being a stinker.”