Page 2 | I’ve decided to change my name

EIIa · 2021-12-12T19:51:31+00:00

I have a very elegant middle name and a horrible lumpen 1970s first name I want to officially change my name So far have started with Facebook watsapp and my LinkedIn account Have sent off for dvla And have found somebody to do the deed Poll I’m about to move to a new town and get a new job so it’s the perfect time to go for it Would love to hear anybody’s experiences of this! When I decided earlier today I instantly felt so much better lighter like a new start I am 46 and know that sounds daft - would Love to hear from anybody whose done similar Currently nobody knows me by my first name, my new one!

ponkydonkey · 13/12/2021 10:09

I only use my middle name
My first name is very grandiose and I hate it

Go for it

CormoranStrike · 13/12/2021 10:56

@EIIa

Elisabeth is my new name (German parents so S not Z)

@fluffythedragonslayer - are you psychic 👏

@CormoranStrike - were your feelings hurt? I haven’t said anything to mine at all but I figured - they chose my (former) middle name so have one approved it in a sense

@Triyo my best friend is a lawyer so the deed poll - easy

@KissedintheDark
Did you have to provide proof?
Do you feel like a new person?
After a truly crappy year (like most people have had ) it’s been a positive move

Hi @Ella no I didn’t mind at all. He had strong reasons for doing so, and I got to help choose the new name, so all good.

KissedintheDark · 13/12/2021 15:31

@Ella
Amazingly no proof to HMRC but I sent copies of my deed poll
[I got a solicitor to do the deed poll purely because I didn't want any hassle.]
Incidentally HMRC will also do a AKA. In my case they automatically did a AKA so I had to ask them to change it. A few taps on a keyboard and they did it there and then on the phone.

I had, I think it was 6, deed poll copies made at the solicitors which was just about enough. Quite a few places didn't return them so I had to chase them up when I got short of copies.

KissedintheDark · 13/12/2021 15:34

Forgot to say the solicitor charges were £50 which I thought was very good for the peace of mind. It was all done on the solicitors' nice thick headed paper.

Original poster

EIIa · 13/12/2021 18:12

Gosh I do find that incredible

Presumably the HMRC then gives you proof for banking as its a utility bill of sorts ?

My mates going to do it for me in exchange for a takeaway 😂

OP posts:

Sillybillymillyvanilly · 13/12/2021 18:33

I did it about 20 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did. I became the person I was supposed to be. I hated being asked my name and hid away a bit. Also, I always wanted something from the seaside with my name on it. I was given so many mugs with my new name on it. It was so easy to do. I did the deed poll online and just told people to call me by my new name and they did. My parents struggled though. I was worried about telling my mum but she was fine although couldn't understand why I did it.

Do it, you won't regret it.

ColdShouldersWarmTummy · 13/12/2021 19:34

Great choice! We gotave DD the same middle name (same spelling too) for the very reason that it would be a lovely elegant option if she decides that she doesn't like the first name we gave her

ColdShouldersWarmTummy · 13/12/2021 19:36

Great choice! We have DD the same middle name (same spelling too) for the very reason that it would be a lovely elegant option if she decides that she doesn't like the first name we gave her

LER83 · 13/12/2021 19:48

I used to work in a deed poll office and we used to change hundreds of names a week. Some were just changing spellings, others were going by completely different names, first and surname. I was surprised how many people do it.

Original poster

EIIa · 14/12/2021 08:02

@LER83

I used to work in a deed poll office and we used to change hundreds of names a week. Some were just changing spellings, others were going by completely different names, first and surname. I was surprised how many people do it.

What was the weirdest, @LER83

OP posts:

Anordinarymum · 15/12/2021 00:47

Ella
All my life I hated my name. My father always called me by a boys name which I preferred.
When I asked him why they called me XXXXXXXX he said because it's a strong name. My mother chose it apparently.
My grandmother told me they really wanted a boy and when I was born my mother never really took to me.
They gave my sisters really nice names.
I got teased at school about it and my mother joined in when I told her what they said. She was responsible for making my childhood unhappy in so many ways and calling me names was just one small part of it.
So many people over the years have said I do not look like a XXXXXX
When Dad died I changed it.
I have never looked back. I am not that person anymore and am glad I am someone else now.
I recommend it !

bintang · 15/12/2021 00:56

I can't stand my name either, and want to change it. The only problem is knowing what to switch to. My BIL has always gone by his middle name, but I don't have one.
I very sensibly gave my children a classic timeless middle name in case they don't like their forenames for any reason.

Queeen · 15/12/2021 00:57

I changed my surname this summer, aged mid-forties, after separating from my kids' father and extricating myself from my family of origin (meaning I didn't just want to go back to my maiden name). I also added an extra middle name just because I liked it. I already like my given first and middle names, but never liked my birth surname, and didn't want to keep my ex's either.
I really love my new name. It's been a little bit of an effort changing things over (bank, driving license, GP, everything), and things are taking ages to get returned (probably cos of lockdown), but I'm getting there. I'm very glad I did it. I've also moved areas since separating from the ex, so everyone is knowing me anew with my new surname.

MidnightConstellation · 17/10/2022 06:03

I’m reviving this thread as thinking f of changing my first name. My middle name is very ordinary so don’t want to use that either. I’ve just got a new ossified and regret not having done it before. Can someone explain exactly how to go about it? It’s the thought of telling everyone to call me something else and all the legalities..

MidnightConstellation · 17/10/2022 06:03

Passport not ossified!

SoupDragon · 17/10/2022 09:29

You might be better off starting a new thread, @MidnightConstellation as people are most likely only going to read the OP and answer that rather than your own question.

FergusSingsTheBIues · 24/10/2022 06:41

Anordinarymum · 15/12/2021 00:47

Ella
All my life I hated my name. My father always called me by a boys name which I preferred.
When I asked him why they called me XXXXXXXX he said because it's a strong name. My mother chose it apparently.
My grandmother told me they really wanted a boy and when I was born my mother never really took to me.
They gave my sisters really nice names.
I got teased at school about it and my mother joined in when I told her what they said. She was responsible for making my childhood unhappy in so many ways and calling me names was just one small part of it.
So many people over the years have said I do not look like a XXXXXX
When Dad died I changed it.
I have never looked back. I am not that person anymore and am glad I am someone else now.
I recommend it !

C’est moi, under a namechange…how apt!
I’m sorry you’ve felt so rejected, that sounds quite traumatic, really hurtful.

Ive not really done anything about it apart from emails and mag subscription etc and now the queens dead…… cringing at looking at some mega royal fan (not British)

BoredOfLooking · 24/10/2022 06:49

A reminder that anyone changing their name can do it free by googling ‘free deed poll’ and it’s just as legal as paying a solicitor lots of money. The correct wording has been written for you, you just type in your old name, new name, address and two witness names and addresses and print it off. That’s it.