If you changed your surname for reasons other than marriage, how did you choose one?

[MushroomTree]

For various reasons I'm considering changing my surname. I have other names within the family I could use but it also occurred to me I could actually choose anything I like.

If you've also changed your surname, how did you choose it?

A relative of mine went to a library, looked at some of the author's names then just picked one.

@Sleepingboy that's not a bad idea actually. I'm considering going for a name that begins with the same letter so I don't need to change my initials.

We had a woman who had an account at the building society that I worked.

She changed her name frequently to the name of the heroine in the latest romantic novel she read.

Eventually my boss told her to pick a name and keep it as we were no longer prepared to make up new account books every month. She closed her account and left. I hope the next building society enjoyed her custom! Simpler times in the 80s lol.

We had to spray air freshener when she left as she had halitosis and body odour. She was single. I wonder what happened to her.

@Elieza well I'm definitely planning on only changing my name once!

I changed mine when I got married, but if I had to change it again for some reason I would go back to my maiden name or choose my mother’s maiden name.
I think it’s nice to choose something with a family connection.

I'd go with something that suited my first name and also meant something to me.

I'd like to do it op.
I don't like my married surname (love dh) dislike his family... And its an annoying name I'm saddled with!

I changed my entire name, I chose the surname of the person who is the closest ‘thing’ I have to a parent.

When my divorce is finalised I intend to change both by first name and surname. I don't feel connected enough to my maiden name anymore and I certainly don't want to keep my married name. I've chosen to take the name of the lead character in one of my favourite obscure novels. Can't wait actually!!

I chose the surname of a tv character I liked

It's best to keep your first name. Or people think you're trying to hide something.

I changed middle name and surname. Just spent a lot of time looking but the choices do have meaning. It's lovely to choose. Meant a lot to me not to have my family name but start a fresh.

I had to change my surname for work. I chose my great grandfather's name.

@Elieza That's a really interesting story.

I changed my first name to my middle name. Then I got married and took my husband's surname. So the name I have now is completely different to the one I had a few years ago.

I use a fake name on social media. I looked back in my family tree and found a pleasant sounding name that I liked. It helped me to feel that the name was still "mine."

Thanks everyone. Some good suggestions.

I'll be keeping my first and middle names, just changing my surname.

I have several different social media names. A name I use to wind-up Daily Mail readers, a Guardian comments name, a fit-bit name, a Pinterest name, a Twitter name etc. Some are from novels, some are from my family tree, some are jokes. I feel like a different character with each.

I’d look on a map for some really unusual British place names.

A friend of mine changed his (wanted to break the ties between him and his brothers and mother) he chose ... I can't put it here as I don't have his permission but it was a historical character he admired.

It turned up on pointless as a pointless answer recently and he didn't get it.

I was walking along the road and someone called out the name (to someone else) and I turned as though they had called me. Went home and rang a friend who said it suited me. My surname came from her as she changed her name to the name she sang under so I used the same surname

Some more good suggestions. I'm leaving towards not using a family surname. I think I'd like a clean break and to have something I don't associate with anything potentially negative.

@CormoranStrike

I’d look on a map for some really unusual British place names.

In Durham there is a place called Pity Me and one called Quaking Houses.

I picked my mums maiden name because I liked it haha. My mum and dad weren’t married. This was in 2017 and now my partner and I are thinking of getting married, and I’m annoyed because I’m STILL not finished changing over all the random items to my new surname, like my Boots card etc haha

Other things to consider OP

Will the name go with your fist name, so if you are a Janna, you don't want to use Taylor.

Is it easy to spell? Unless you have lived with your name being continually misspelled you have no idea how annoying it is.

Where do you want it to be in the alphabet, one of my uni friends was always last to do practical assignments because her surname started with a 'w'.

Are you likely to have children? Sharing a surname with family can give a sense of belonging. Maybe your mum's maiden name.