Is there anyone here who's legally changed their family and/or given name? Could you share your stories? I'm trying to feel valid here, but it's getting harder and harder every day.
(I'm sorry, trans folks, y'all are valid as hell but this isn't the thread for you.)
Is there anyone here who's legally changed their family and/or given name? Could you share your stories? I'm trying to feel valid here, but it's getting harder and harder every day.
(I'm sorry, trans folks, y'all are valid as hell but this isn't the thread for you.)
Name changes are totally valid.
My great grandmother got disowned way back in the day for having a child out of wedlock. Instead of keeping that last name, she chose her own. The last name she chose became my last name, and I'm proud to have it.
I suggested once, the idea of not changing my last name when I get married, the response I got was.... interesting (and a bit backward imo), we also considered choosing a totally new family name that both of us would take. That idea was equally met with eyebrow raises.
First name, last name, it's yours, do what you want with it.
My great grandmother got disowned way back in the day for having a child out of wedlock. Instead of keeping that last name, she chose her own. The last name she chose became my last name, and I'm proud to have it.
I suggested once, the idea of not changing my last name when I get married, the response I got was.... interesting (and a bit backward imo), we also considered choosing a totally new family name that both of us would take. That idea was equally met with eyebrow raises.
First name, last name, it's yours, do what you want with it.
My step-sister legally changed her first name because her mom insisted on naming her after a perfume which resulted in her getting mistaken for a boy for the majority of her life.
I didn't have an issue with it (I barely talk to her anyway), my step-dad and mom didn't have issues, either. Mom still calls her by her birth name, but I don't think it's out of malice.
I've also known several people from different Asian groups who wanted to legally change their first name. Most of them went by a more American name since their given name was hard for most people to pronounce.
My overall opinion? You're the one who has to deal with the name for the next five or six decades. It ought to be a name you like.
My step-sister legally changed her first name because her mom insisted on naming her after a perfume which resulted in her getting mistaken for a boy for the majority of her life.
I didn't have an issue with it (I barely talk to her anyway), my step-dad and mom didn't have issues, either. Mom still calls her by her birth name, but I don't think it's out of malice.
I've also known several people from different Asian groups who wanted to legally change their first name. Most of them went by a more American name since their given name was hard for most people to pronounce.
My overall opinion? You're the one who has to deal with the name for the next five or six decades. It ought to be a name you like.
Tell me your desire
while you pull me from the fire
and we'll seal the deal with a kiss
I've always wanted to change my name after my mom told me she named me after a baby she saw once at her work. I mentioned it once to her and she cried, so I dropped it. I honestly prefer my middle name over my first, but I feel if I request people call me by a different name they'll either scoff or forget. So my real name's fine I guess. If I ever move to another city that's another story and a whole new opportunity.
If it feels right to you, go after it! People close to you may or may not agree, but your life is yours and ultimately you carry the final say.
I've always wanted to change my name after my mom told me she named me after a baby she saw once at her work. I mentioned it once to her and she cried, so I dropped it. I honestly prefer my middle name over my first, but I feel if I request people call me by a different name they'll either scoff or forget. So my real name's fine I guess. If I ever move to another city that's another story and a whole new opportunity.
If it feels right to you, go after it! People close to you may or may not agree, but your life is yours and ultimately you carry the final say.
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Hello, I'm Doetree!
26 | she | artist + teacher | FR+2
I would very much like to change my last name. My parents are divorced, and my Dad is an awful person, and my last name is the same as his, so... I would like to Maybe Not Have That. My Mom never changed her name when she married him though, so I might change my last name to hers, or I might find a different last name entirely.
I would very much like to change my last name. My parents are divorced, and my Dad is an awful person, and my last name is the same as his, so... I would like to Maybe Not Have That. My Mom never changed her name when she married him though, so I might change my last name to hers, or I might find a different last name entirely.
One of my middle names (I have two) came from my grandmother on my mothers side. Sadly I havent met her since I was six due to lack of interest from her side to be a part of our lives.
My grandmother on my dads side however was a very inspirational person to me. Sadly she died early from pancreatic cancer and it was a hard blow on 14 year old me. The year I turned 22 I legally changed my middle name from my grandmother on my moms side to the name my grandmother on my dads side had. Both my parents were very supportive of it given that my grandmother on my dads side had played such a big part of my creative side and had always been there for us as kids. Today I'm a proud wearer of that name.
One of my middle names (I have two) came from my grandmother on my mothers side. Sadly I havent met her since I was six due to lack of interest from her side to be a part of our lives.
My grandmother on my dads side however was a very inspirational person to me. Sadly she died early from pancreatic cancer and it was a hard blow on 14 year old me. The year I turned 22 I legally changed my middle name from my grandmother on my moms side to the name my grandmother on my dads side had. Both my parents were very supportive of it given that my grandmother on my dads side had played such a big part of my creative side and had always been there for us as kids. Today I'm a proud wearer of that name.
FR +9 so sorry if I respond slowly sometimes!
I got my first name from my dad. He's the 3rd Jr. He thought it would be cute to name his 2nd born daughter after himself rather than his son. I don't really care for the name because every time some one calls me that, I think they are talking to my dad or about him.
I've seriously considered just switching out my middle name with my first name but over all it's more an annoyance than anything. I also didn't take my husband's name. I offered for us both to change our last name, but once he found that things like that take time and money he decided he would keep his last name and I would keep mine. XD
I got my first name from my dad. He's the 3rd Jr. He thought it would be cute to name his 2nd born daughter after himself rather than his son. I don't really care for the name because every time some one calls me that, I think they are talking to my dad or about him.
I've seriously considered just switching out my middle name with my first name but over all it's more an annoyance than anything. I also didn't take my husband's name. I offered for us both to change our last name, but once he found that things like that take time and money he decided he would keep his last name and I would keep mine. XD
I've thought about getting a legal name change but all it would really entail would be swapping my first and middle names. I've gone by my middle name since I was very young because my first name and all its variants are immensely common.
In my state it's like a $500 fee, a bunch of paperwork, and a 6 month process or so to do a legal name change last I checked. Though I've also been told it is also a possibility to have my "use name" (middle name) and use my legal name (first name) on all the paperwork I ever sign in my life, because a lot of people do just that.
Depending on where you live the fee and/or length of time for processing may be different. I think it also varies if one is a minor or not.
I've thought about getting a legal name change but all it would really entail would be swapping my first and middle names. I've gone by my middle name since I was very young because my first name and all its variants are immensely common.
In my state it's like a $500 fee, a bunch of paperwork, and a 6 month process or so to do a legal name change last I checked. Though I've also been told it is also a possibility to have my "use name" (middle name) and use my legal name (first name) on all the paperwork I ever sign in my life, because a lot of people do just that.
Depending on where you live the fee and/or length of time for processing may be different. I think it also varies if one is a minor or not.
Hey, friendly reminder to drink water, stretch, and take a short break if you can. Stay healthy! Also, don't forget about any chores or tasks you might be putting off.
Changing my name soon. I'm a minor so my parents have to sign off. It takes a ton of time is all I can say positively.
