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Has anyone else (successfully) changed their first name?

5 replies

Constancevariable · 24/11/2020 14:34

I’m thinking of using a deed poll to give myself a middle name and slowly reverting to going by that name instead. I know a few people who hate their forename so just use their middle name instead, this made me think that I could do the same thing.

Obviously the paperwork side is easy enough, it’s having the confidence to choose a name (no blaming it on my parents anymore) and getting used to another name.

It’s been on my mind for a couple of years, so it’s not a fleeting thing. My name will be reverting back to my maiden name soon anyway due to divorce so I may as well change everything at the same time.

OP posts:
farawayplanet · 24/11/2020 15:42

I adopted a middle name when I was a teenager because my surname was also a known first name and I got really fed up of people asking what my surname was and assuming my surname was my middle name.

I use it now when I'm online and on Facebook messenger, so some people know me by it and you soon get used to it.

Make sure you choose one you can live with as I've gone off mine now 😆

Fudgsicles · 24/11/2020 16:35

Why not just change your first name rather than giving yourself a middle name the slowly using that? As you are reverting to your maiden name you can just say you wanted a complete change if anyone asks.

WanderingMilly · 24/11/2020 16:55

I changed both my first names many years ago; if you live in England it's not difficult and allowed so long as you are not doing it for illegal gain.

If I were you I would check the exact details by doing an online search as things might be slightly different these days. However, it always was that Deep Poll change-of-name was for changing your surname. For changing first names, you use Statuary Declaration of Change of Name...I'm assuming it's still called this.

You can easily add a name or change your first names yourself, but it's easier to get an official form stating what you have done. In my case, I went to a solicitor, it took minutes to draw up a form which said I used to be called XYZ but was going to be called XXG instead. I signed in my old name, then signed again in my new name.

Having the form meant it was easy to go to the banks, building societies etc. and get my accounts changed. It was also acceptable for changing my passport and driving licence. Once they were done it's easy to get everything else changed as your passport/licence are used as ID for everything else.

Make sure you choose a name you are happy with (I actually went through a book of names and settled upon completely different first and second names) and make sure you are ready for a "new start". Changing names can be very liberating, it's a new you, a new beginning. I had to be firm with friends and relatives, explaining what I had done....some were bemused but everyone went along with it and now no-one would think any differently. Be prepared to take around a year to completely feel at ease in your new name and to answer to it when someone calls you!

There are certain complications but not many. If I go for a job interview I have to take my form because I have some exam certificates in one name and some in another. It also happens if I have to show my birth certificate, so I need to prove that I am still the same person despite the different name. On some forms I still have to put "XXG but formally known as XYZ". No-one has ever queried it, not even the tax office!

Good luck if you go for it, I have never regretted my name change myself. Being a woman, I found it very empowering to choose my own identity rather than one chosen for me....

WanderingMilly · 24/11/2020 16:56

** Deed Poll, not deep !!

Constancevariable · 24/11/2020 17:51

That’s so encouraging to read, thank you WanderingMilly , especially reading about the new beginnings and feeling empowered...I think this is definitely something that would be amazing for me right now! It sounds like you’ve made a bold move that has paid off.

I was considering the middle name idea so that I could keep a connection with my original name. Of course I could just keep it as a middle name if I wanted too.

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