This one should be a short one. I don't like my legal name so since I was a teenager I've just gone by my nickname, I haven't bothered to legally change it but I've let everybody know that I don't like my legal name and to please call me by my nickname.

I have a 21 year old niece, she's low intelligence, but can handle basic conversations, you've just to meet her where she is. She also understands cause and effect. She's always called me Aunty Legal Name instead of Aunty Nickname regardless of how many times I've told her how I feel and to not to call me that.

This is where I think I may be the asshole. The other day I did a post on Facebook and said that I was tired of being called Legal Name and asked people how they would feel if, for example I called a woman by her maiden name? It's a respect thing right? So I messaged my niece and said that from now on, until she learns to call me by my nickname I'll call her this name.

She lasted less than 12 hours of me doing the same thing to her that she's done to me for years until she blocked me. My Mother said that I was bullying her, I think it's just matched energy

She's also young enough to be my kid.

Edit to add. She's capable of calling newly married women by their married name and has Trans friends who she calls by their chosen name.

So Reddit AITAH?