When does a nickname become a wrong name?

[Tickettyboo]

My late Pa in law was  Thomas, as was his Dad.
Apparently to then differentiate them they used to call pa in law, Tim. (which makes no sense to me either)
Even in his late 80s he was still very cross that it wasn't till he started school that he knew his official, registered name - as he got into trouble on the first day for not responding to the register call when the teacher called for Thomas!

and I spent years looking for his aunt 'Lily' O'Connor going to the US.  Turns out her registered name (in which she travelled) was Eleanor Mary.
They didn't make it easy for us, but when I eventually tracked her and got her marriage cert from New Orleans my whoop of glee must have resounded across the world.

Boo

[Lodger]

You say she had a "Catholic" name? As opposed to what?

[oldfashionedgirl]

Does he mean a saints name ?

[rosie17]

Does he mean a saints name ?

I think a child baptized as a Catholic was given a saints name as a middle name ?

Rosie

[Tickettyboo]

Perhaps a confirmation name? some then used that as a middle name.

Boo

[Lodger]

I can assure you that both Margaret and Bridget are the names of saints. Perhaps "Christian name" would be a better description?
Could "Betsy" have actually been Bridie, which is a diminutive of Bridget?

[scottishlad]

I can assure you that both Margaret and Bridget are the names of saints. Perhaps "Christian name" would be a better description?
Could "Betsy" have actually been Bridie, which is a diminutive of Bridget?

Yes I meant like a confirmation/saints name. I have no idea, I’m just guessing based on her origin from Ireland. Trying to make sense how the three names came about, but as others have said I guess there wasn’t always a rhyme or reason

[Gadget]

but as others have said I guess there wasn’t always a rhyme or reason

My mother's sister was given two names but she was called by another. I was told that she hated both her given names and chose one that she liked!

Gadget

[brigidmac]

In France all my ex husbands aunts + uncles had a name they used in school and the name their family called them.
This was in a small village in Dordogne generation who are 80+ now