Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Teenager wants to change their name

242 replies

Stressedgiraffe · 26/11/2024 10:11

I don't know what to do. I've said if they still want to do it at 18 they can. My major worry is that what they want to change it to isn't a name it's a noun. I don't want to say the name but think 'table' ' truck' 'monitor'
I worry that they won't be taken seriously when they get a job/career.
They don't want it to stay as a nickname but as their proper name.
What would you do?

OP posts:
rayofsunshine86 · 26/11/2024 11:54

Absolutely not. There is a reason why a 16 year old can't vote or get married.

NineDaysQueen · 26/11/2024 11:53

God preserve us from emotional 16 year olds!
They may grow out of it, they may choose to change it formally via deed poll once they turn 18.
It may be pathetic, but you may just have to humour them until they grow wake up

Foodie333 · 26/11/2024 11:53

Rock, paper, scissors?

DemonicCaveMaggot · 26/11/2024 11:52

I think most employers would assume his parents were batshit rather than refusing to consider him because of his name.

Of course that is also annoying for you.

Seashellssanctuary · 26/11/2024 11:52

I'm at a loss here, you've used this name for three years but now you don't like the idea of what's to come.

I do think you're right that Scrambler Jones will be a hard sell to get an interview.

Looks like your just going to have to live with your (in)actions I'm afraid.

MaroonyBalloony · 26/11/2024 11:51

Random noun names have been very trendy with young people for a few years. My (at the time non-binary) niece and all her friends did it. All stuck to it for different lengths of time, I think only one persists - named for an item of clothing.

I'd let her do it, she can always change it back and it'll just be a lightly embarrassing 'wasnt I daft' anecdote in the future. Nobody is judging a teen on their name.

AConcernedCitizen · 26/11/2024 11:49

I went to school with a kid called Milky (after the Milky bar kid, because he was blond and wore glasses). Didn't find out what his actual name was until we were about 16.

Kids, teachers, his parents, everyone called him Milky. People still do. He never had it changed 😅

Bluemonkey2029 · 26/11/2024 11:43

Part of my job involves hiring and we would never make a decision to not interview or hire based on name because A) It could well be a non-English national B) if it's not, I'd assume the child had wacky parents rather than that they'd chosen the name themselves and why should that hold them back.

Even if I did know they'd chosen the name themselves it probably wouldn't affect my decision. We hire based on skills, qualifications and interview performance. Name doesn't come into it.

That's not saying you should or shouldn't let them change it but I really don't think it will affect their employment prospects like you think it will.

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 26/11/2024 11:41

I quite like Coach.

I was very disappointed when I discovered that my friend Lorry was actually Laurie. We were five.

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/11/2024 11:40

He needs 2 witnesses over 18 and to pay for the change. I’d say absolutely not until he’s 18.

SpecialKate · 26/11/2024 11:39

What sex is your teen?

TheLemonFatball · 26/11/2024 11:36

If it's Scooter they'll probably get away with it. Bus? Bike? Hard no.

olivesandpombears · 26/11/2024 11:27

Stressedgiraffe · 26/11/2024 11:14

I bet he still applied for jobs as Mark then said my name is Chisel on he'd got the job. That's my worry as they want to be 'train' at interview stage

Nope, I was in HR, it was on his CV. I think people maybe thought it was a non-English name of some kind. It was at a work Xmas do that I found out that his name wasn't actually Chisel originally😆and that he was from the midlands and not somewhere in Europe.

In fairness, some employers care less about this sort of thing than others - my old workplace wanted him for his quite specific skills and experience.

Berga · 26/11/2024 11:20

You can actually change your name by an unenrolled deed poll from the age of sixteen. So I don't think you're going to get much choice in the matter.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 26/11/2024 11:14

I bet he still applied for jobs as Mark then said my name is Chisel on he'd got the job. That's my worry as they want to be 'train' at interview stage

OP posts:
MrBiscuits24 · 26/11/2024 11:13

It would be very easy to revert back to birth name if they change their mind. It costs £40 to do a deed poll so don’t worry. Let them make their own mistakes.

Imfreetofeelgood · 26/11/2024 11:13

I like Truck
Hard no to bike
I'd just say no, for all the practical reasons you are worried about.

olivesandpombears · 26/11/2024 11:11

I once worked with a guy called Chisel, original name Mark or David (can't remember but it was a very very normal name). He renamed himself Chisel (as in the tool), earned lots of money in tech. The name didn't seem to hold him back 😅

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 26/11/2024 11:09

That's what we're doing at the moment. Doctors and school are supporting.
They just want their gcses in that name. And to use that name for college.
I just wish they'd use an actual name

OP posts:
WigglyVonWaggly · 26/11/2024 11:08

This is why we don’t let them get tattoos. Silly choices. They can do what they want at 18 so just hope they grow out of it before you have to call them Tank or Mower. Maybe a friend will take the piss out of the name and break the spell. Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Onlyvisiting · 26/11/2024 11:05

Address them in their preferred way, ask the school/doctors anywhere official to use it now.
Dont make a fuss, just no legal change until they are old enough to sort it themselves.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 26/11/2024 11:04

They are the ones insisting on the name. I try hard to call them it but sometimes forget and call them their real name.

OP posts:
GoldCat255 · 26/11/2024 11:02

Stressedgiraffe · 26/11/2024 10:43

I'm not sure. We've used the name as a nickname for the last 3 years. They want to make it official.

That is what happens with using stupid nicknames as opposed to the real name.
Why on earth you would call your child something like "monitor" or "truck" ?
I would not be surprised if he or she has been resenting you for this and wants to punish you for this.

waterbottle1234 · 26/11/2024 11:02

They can do it when they're 18 - all by themselves, all the organisation, pay for it etc. I doubt they will bother......

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 26/11/2024 11:01

Is it Digger?

Tram?

Unicycle?

Swipe left for the next trending thread