I definitely don't put my feelings of non-acknowledgement before my worry for him, just listed that way.. But I get what you are saying and will work on why it's bothering me at all and why I am attaching a piece of self-worth to being called a name by him.

Thanks for the replies, I did need to hear that. I dont know any other kids around his age, so obviously my understanding of his emotional maturity and the confusion created by his parents having new partners is not great, and my expectations a bit high.
So not going to take it personally and let it happen on its own time when he is comfortable.