[CliffordK (OP)]

As with many people with 2+ syllable names, there is a long and short version of the name. 

People have often asked which I prefer, and while there are certain alterations that I have a strong dislike for, I really do not notice the difference between the standard short and long forms of my name.

Others?

[Monox D. I-Fly]

I prefer shortened name. My name is Faizal, and in my workplace there's this quite adorable girl named Faizah whom I call by my short name, Faiz.

[chris]

My wife calls me by the long form of my name, usually when I'm in trouble...

[alancalverd]

My parents said they chose a name that didn't have any insulting variants or diminutives. This seemed to be the case until I worked in a laboratory full of Alans, where I was "Number 5", alongside Big Al, Middle Al, Little Al, and Other Al. But the name that travelled with me to subsequent employments was "Bloody", as in argumentative rather than accident-prone.

[Monox D. I-Fly]

My parents said they chose a name that didn't have any insulting variants or diminutives. This seemed to be the case until I worked in a laboratory full of Alans, where I was "Number 5", alongside Big Al, Middle Al, Little Al, and Other Al. But the name that travelled with me to subsequent employments was "Bloody", as in argumentative rather than accident-prone.

"Al" in Arabic means "The". So, may I refer to you as just "The"?

[Karen W.]

I have never had a longer or shorter nickname until adult hood.. Karen doesn't lend in self to one very easily.. but one day a long time ago a funny young man added a y to my Karen making me Kareny ...lol
 I tend to call people by the long versions of their given names unless they ask me not to!

[Monox D. I-Fly]

Can I call you "Ren"?