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Original poster

Serial killer name change

184 replies

weirdnamechange · 03/08/2021 15:03

I really don't know what to do. I recently got married to a wonderful man and I have always wanted to take my partner's name (I am a feminist, it is a choice I want to make). Unfortunately my first name combined with his last name is the name of a very famous serial killer. Before we got married I said I would deal with that issue as it was important for us to have the same name (and I would like to be traditional and take his name), but now that it is time to change my name on bank cards etc I am getting cold feet. I can't wrap my head around introducing myself as this killer??!! My husband is upset as I am going back on our agreement..

What should I do? Could you change it knowing what that name means to most people?

OP posts:
Hohofortherobbers · 03/08/2021 15:40

Can you agree with him to alter surname a little? Eg if it is West you could both change it to Westbury or Weston or Westly?

gordongrumpy · 03/08/2021 15:42

Unless he's Harold West and you're Rose Shipman, just both of you use your name. Or choose a new family name- Westman, or Shest. If you're a feminist, then surely it's 50:50 as to which name you choose.

No way would I be becoming Myra Hindley, Rose West, Beverley Allit, Mary Ann Cotton.

Actually, if it's Mary Ann Cotton, I would go with it, surely that will scare your husband enough!

GlitterBiscuits · 03/08/2021 15:43

Don't change your name.
It's 2021.

Antinerak · 03/08/2021 15:43

Change your name to Rosie MaidenName and get him to take your maiden name too

AnneTwackie · 03/08/2021 15:44

I wouldn’t and I wouldn’t expect my partner to want me to

MaggieFS · 03/08/2021 15:45

Go double barrelled or get him to change his.

TheAwfuITruth · 03/08/2021 15:45

If I knew someone and they willingly changed their name to a serial killers I'd think they'd lost the plot.

ComtesseDeSpair · 03/08/2021 15:46

@Cocolapew

Id let him be upset rather than introduce myself as Myra Hindley/Harold Shipman/Ghengis Khan.
I used to have a colleague who, no word of a lie, briefly considered Genghis for her DS when pregnant, when their surname was Cane.

I mean, I was all for it, it would have been awesome. But she went with the rather pedestrian in comparison Jago in the end.

MoonlightWanderer · 03/08/2021 15:47

I would pick a new name. Or change your first name?? Shock

MintyGreenDream · 03/08/2021 15:53

Bev Allitt?

dworky · 03/08/2021 15:53

@Hiphopopotamus

Sure you’re a feminist Hmm you’d just rather change your name to that of a serial killer than look at any other option
This
DinosaurDiana · 03/08/2021 15:55

I’d keep your birth name and double barrel the kids names.

burritofan · 03/08/2021 15:56

Or change your first name??
Zodiackiller is nice, Zoe for short.

Galassia · 03/08/2021 15:57

I know a Jo who upon marrying became Jo Brand.

When she got divorced I don’t know which she was more pleased about, divorcing him or losing the name!

I think I would rather have the same name as serial killer than be called Jo Brand! Grin

Mamamovingnorth · 03/08/2021 15:58

DH and I had a strange name for double barreling (think Trotter-Dance) so we amalgamated (guess the equivalent is Dotter of Trace…. Wow. Wish I was Mrs Trace Envy )

Finals1234 · 03/08/2021 16:00

@Hiphopopotamus

Sure you’re a feminist Hmm you’d just rather change your name to that of a serial killer than look at any other option
My first thought too!

Why are you not upset that he won't change his name instead?

Apeirogon · 03/08/2021 16:01

I am a feminist, I took my husband's name, but there is absolutely no way I would have done so if it meant I became Rose West! Please don't do it OP. Any other solution (hyphenating, he takes your name, you both keep your names) would be better.

ArchbishopOfBanterbury · 03/08/2021 16:04

I really wouldn't change to his surname. Especially if he's getting grumpy about it.

When we got married, I hyphenated, DH didn't. My children have both surnames too.(Nothing wrong with his surname or the combination)

You have very good reasons!

MoonlightWanderer · 03/08/2021 16:07

@burritofan

Or change your first name?? Zodiackiller is nice, Zoe for short.
I was thinking Crapbag would work.

Hi, I’m Crapbag West. Nice to meet you!

Or East West

Or something rhyming. I’m Lest West

Or someone else famous. I’m Mae West.

Just so many possibilities!

DismantledKing · 03/08/2021 16:09

@MintyGreenDream

Bev Allitt?
Denise Nilson?
TheNewBlack · 03/08/2021 16:11

No way. Absolutely not. Either use your middle name from now on or don’t change your surname.

Hemingwaycat · 03/08/2021 16:12

As a stupid teenager I thought it would be funny to change my Facebook name to Myra Hindley. It was primarily because I had my Mum and Dad’s accounts down as my parents so on their pages it said ‘daughter: Myra Hindley’. I was an idiot of course and my Dad went bonkers so I changed it back straight away.

Anyway, you don’t have to change your surname. I kept my surname and DC have both names.

Silvergreen · 03/08/2021 16:14

@Hiphopopotamus

Sure you’re a feminist Hmm you’d just rather change your name to that of a serial killer than look at any other option
This.

Stand up for yourself and don't let your husband sulk and bully his way into you having a ridiculous name.

SunShinesBrightly · 03/08/2021 16:15

Definitely call yourself Rose Maidenname-West, Rosie Maidenname-West, Ros Maidenname-West.
Even Ros West or Roe West sound better.

TrixieThunder · 03/08/2021 16:16

You obviously shouldn't change your name to West, but on the plus side if you do, you'll always be remembered by everyone you meet.