Can you change your First name as an adult?

[namesnotfanny]

Or will people think you're weird? And up tight if they use your old one accidentally and then you say 'no, that's not my name'

I hate my name. It isn't uncommon. I think it was in the top 30 or something when I was born in 98.

But I don't like it - the sound reminds me of someone who's a push over. It's not a 'serious' name when I hear it, despite it being quite classic. I just don't like it.

Can I really change it as an adult? How will people react, specially family?

I’d be interested in this - hate mine too!

If it’s a common name can you tell us what it is?

Of course you can.
If you use your middle name or something with a link to your current name it may be easier, but people will get used to anything.

Awful isn't it. Not nice when it literally identifies you

Sophie

Nothing horrible about it. Perfectly fine. But I just think it sound a bit 'wet' and isn't a serious name. It isn't a silly name so isn't even obvious off the bat, but I just think it sounds like a push overs name

Yes, definitely.

Don't let how people may or may not react stop you from doing what you want to do.

I think it was fairly common in my parents generation to use their middle name rather than their first name - well it seems that way to me as both my step mum and my FIL did/do that.

I've known a few people (teenagers mainly) who have changed their names and you soon become used to it. I have to think really hard to remember what their old name was after while.

The only time I would think it was odd/weird/irritating was if someone kept doing it.

I think you can but do it sooner rather than later. I hate my name, always have. Years ago we relocated a couple of hundred miles and it crossed my mind but I felt a bit silly about it and thought my family would think I was weird. In hindsight I should have done it as I have a circle of friends here who would never have known any different.

If you don't feel like a Sophie then don't be a Sophie!

Do you have a middle name you could use?

My middle name is Maria but it's spelt on my birth certificate and passport as 'Maryah'

@namesnotfanny do you want to get the thread deleted? It maybe too outing.

Go for it. Here is a list of names suggestions to show people you are serious and not a pushover:

Medusa
Gravlax
Poison
Dagger
Zeus
Margaret
Atreyu
The Destroyer
Granite

Good luck.

Do you have a new name in mind?

I know of 4 people who have done this, really not a big deal 🙂

Yes, I did it last year. Made up a deed poll, had it witnessed by friends, job done. Didn’t cost a penny.
I hated my old name, I’m much happier now. It’s still a bit odd at times! Probably took about 6 months for people to get used to it.

Obviously you can change your name. But I would look at your motivation. Changing your name won’t change you. And changing your name because you think it will be seen socially as a ‘push over’ name is something a push over would do.

The Sophies I know are far from pushovers. One in particular springs to mind who has a life limiting illness. Fuck me, that woman has fire in her belly and refuses to lie down and accept that she has limitations. She's awesome and I really admire her spirit.

To answer your question, of course you can change your name.

I know a really tough Sophie who is in the Army. I think you may be seen as more of a push over based on name alone if it was something like Petal or Posey.
However I know a Poppy in her 40s and I wouldn't cross her. Names don't define people. Personalities do.

And you can call yourself what you like. I know a Paula who's middle name starts with M. Everyone calls her Kate.

The two Sophie’s I’m thinking of are no pushover either - one’s a cage fighter!
However, that doesn’t help you OP. Do you feel like a pushover? Because that might be a separate issue to your name.

wtf? Sophie is not a wet name, I'd be more upset about Maryah tbh

Of course you can change your first name did you not ask google before posting this?

You can change your name at any time by deed poll.

If you project weak and low self esteem, having a big strong name will seem even more ironic. Suggest working on the real issue (lack of assertiveness? self confidence??) than going through the hassle. You make the name not the other way round.

If you change your name by deed poll, then you can send that to the passport office, DVLA etc.. & they will issue you new id in that new name (you'll have to pay them for new docs)
Your bank will also do it if you show them your new ID or the deed poll doc.
Best to get a couple of copies.

HMRC don't care what you call yourself as long as you pay your taxes.

You can just change your first name, or all of it & get yourself a new surname too.

Getting people who've known you by your original name to call you by a new name is usually a much harder thing.

I know someone who legally changed his name to Scumpy Cider - he was a bit strange lol!

Do you like Sophia better? Sometimes just the extra vowel at the end makes the name sound completely different. My birth name is Marie which I hate and so I chanted it to Maria, it just sounds nicer.

Changed not chanted ha