DEAR ABBY: I am in multiple online groups (such as academia, work, etc.) They require my full first name for legal reasons and do not offer an area to input the name I actually use. I have considered changing my name legally, but it is far more trouble than it’s worth. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O.