I think it depends on why the NN is used. In the case of people born in a foreign country trying to adjust to their new country, I have no problem with it (though
Elisa Maria to
Karen doesn't really count to me). Most of the time it makes things easier on everyone. However; The example of
Gertrude to
Samantha make NO sense whatsoever. Why not just name her
Samantha? In that case things become inconvieniant. As for examples, I know a
Michaela who goes by
Patricia with close friends, but that is because
Patricia was her name before she was adopted. Only those of us who know her well ever call her that, and she would never introduce herself as
Patricia. I also used to have a professor named Nailah, only to find out her birth name was
Audrey and she changed it to get "back to her African roots". Though she never made the change legally, but that one makes sense to me as well. Can't really think of anything else. I guess I just need a valid reason for the name.