I know the feeling. My name is Vanessa, like many girls born in the late 80’s in France and the still divine singer/actress Vanessa Paradis. I liked her. I didn’t like being heckled “Joe Le Taxi” at school or being asked lewd questions because of this French rap song called “Vanessa”. It was impossible to stand out in society with this name back home, so I had to shorten it to Nessie. For more peace of mind. Now I live in the UK and I get less remarks on my name, so that’s progress I think.