Are these the same?

[english001]

I'd like to ask if this statement, "My friends Branded me as a NERD" is similar to "My friends call me NERD"???? ... Because according to them I study hard unlike them

Tnx and MOOORE POWER!!

[Delmobile]

Yes, very similar. As you probably already know, "brand" refers to a mark burned into something or someone. Ranchers used to brand their cattle with a certain symbol to mark ownership, and criminals were once branded as a permanent mark of their misdeed. So being branded a nerd has a stronger connotation than just being called one.

But don't stop studying hard!

[blouen]

To "brand" you as something is like signing you in a particular group as branding you a nerd they make you one of the nerds. Calling you one is perhaps just for teasing.
"As one who loves studying hard, I would rather love to be called one of the intelligents(nerds)."