Teenager wants to change their name

I would explain to him the long-term benefits of using his chosen name in his social and social media life, and his legal given name in his professional life and career.

He can be Diesel Smith on social media, and as long as he's reasonably careful no employer is going to make an obvious connection to his social life, opinions, and banter.

In the meantime, Mark Smith has a passport, driving licence, LinkedIn profile, etc. and chooses to answer to either Mark or Diesel depending on the situation.

FWIW I have two very different names, my legal given name that I use for work, family, etc. and another one that I use on social media that dates back 20+ years. I've been told that prospective employers/clients have found me "quite boring" online. Socially it's a 50:50 split as to which name people know me as.

You got it in your first guess!

I would let them do it, let them see how it pans out. Let them see if people remember to use it, whether people laugh, whether people are indifferent. They can always change it back if it does not work out the way they think it will

Thanks for sharing this. I was unaware.
In that case, I stand corrected and I would encourage him or her to go ahead and to make the change as soon as possible.
If it is a stupid name, he or she will get their fair share of mocking as teenagers are quite brutal with this kind of nonsense. Maybe its for the best and he or she will learn the lesson the hard way.

Depends on the noun.

Pepper, for example, isn't too bad. Neither is River. Calculator is a bit risky. Tadpole will be sniggered at and Onion openly mocked. We need to know. At least give us a clue...

In the uk? Your child can legally change their name at 16.

It's easy enough to change your name and change it back. I'd let them take the responsibility for this - I wouldn't get involved in paying for it - updating passports, informing school etc.

E-Scooter?

Yes this. And there's no money involved.

Id be trying to convince them to wait another couple of years at least. But technically you can't stop them.

A 16 yo can change their name by deed poll without the consent of a parent or anyone else, just FYI.

Stop trying because you have made this rod for your own back.
Call them only by their name and truck no nonsense.

A bit more background is required.
Does the name have any connection with a hobby of his or her? Like, does he or she like painting and like being called "brush" ?
Does anyone in the household use this nickname or is it just you? What about the father and siblings? Friends? Other relatives?
The more people are using it, the harder it is for you to stop using it for now.

@MaroonyBalloony

All stuck to it for different lengths of time, I think only one persists - named for an item of clothing.

Was it Cardi?

Or am I showing my age? 😂

Where is "here"? You realise the Internet is worldwide?

You can have a known as name, college will respect that, don't need to officially change. Yes exam certificates, drivers licence etc are in formal name but everything else can use the known as - gives options

My DD goes by a different name with her friends and at college. Within the family she is still known by the name that she was given when she was born and that remains her legal name. She is now over 18, but her passport, driver's licence, bank and savings accounts, investments, etc are all in her legal name. If she wants to change her name legally, she can now, of course. But she will have to sort it out for herself and pay for it where there is a cost.

It's all very easy to get a 'preferred' name put on the college database. Making the change formally and legally is a bit more involved and requires time and effort. I suspect that her legal name will not be changing.

The 'chosen' name has evolved, by the way. It's slightly different now than when she was 16.

You've told him he can change it when he's 18. If he's still determined at that age and undertakes the hassle himself, it's sort of on him.

Can they afford all those new documents themselves? Because I wouldn’t be parting with money for that nonsense.

Yes, but not here. We don't really have a culture of making good decisions at a young age here.

My name is a noun, also transport related which is quite an amusing coincidence. It is also a name though which softens it somewhat.
Never been an issue.

They can shoot someone if they join up

I dunno... Pants McGee has a ring to it!

Except where they can

I am assuming that because school and doctors are involved and that you are calling them they/them in your posts, then this also has something to do with magical gender woo, and so of course HAS to be taken seriously. 🙄

I'd not be pussy footing around and playing along with their 'demanding' you use the nickname. If you call them by their real name then so what? I'd also let them change it officially if they wanted but point out that they are coming across as a bit of a self entitled dick and lots of people will be internally rolling their eyes and laughing at them.

An item of clothing?
Sock? Skirt? Pullover? Frock? Jeans? Cardigan (nickname, cardi), coat, coatigan? Jacket, shacket, leggings, jeggings?
Shoe boot slipper?
Not pants; no. Surely not. Vest?
Please tell us, I'm having more trouble with this than with lorry/truck/coach! 😂

You can't control when they change their name after 16. They don't need your permission.

My Dsis changed her name to Duchess Muffiepants. Couldn't get a mortgage so had to change it again. My DD16 changed her name (not officially) to a strange gender fluid name at 13. It took me some time to get used to it and caused some angst from members of my family but it makes her happy. It has no impact on me but it makes her feel good. She's planning on changing it by Deed Poll. It's her name.

Does it really matter if they make a mistake and learn from it?

It’s 100% ok on CV, At work, to use a nickname

DC can wait to see if it’s 100% necessary

There are many many people in UK, that have official names in another “language” on all documents that use “English” name in everyday life.

DC can wait & prob doesn’t need official change.