To change my Name?

[Londoner11]

Hi.
My name is Billy (I am Male) and I am wondering if it would be better for me to Change my name by deed Poll to William? And also change my middle name as I have the shortened (and only name he is ever called) version of my Dad's name. I dont like Billy or Bill through I dont mind Will.
My parents wouldn't be that happy through as they dont like William

Are you an adult..? If so, do what you want.

Well how old are you OP?

I am 21 but still live at home and go on Holiday with my parents.

You could always call yourself William or Will for a year before making a decision

You can call yourself by any name you like - you don't have to change it by deed poll. You only have to do that if you want to change your passport etc.

I might try that - through then people will assume I am a William. Get that every now and then including from people who I think their legal name is traditionally a nick name.

That's why I'm not a fan of nicknames as legal first names. The full names give people the option as an adult to use different versions.

You can call yourself anything you like as long as you aren't doing it to commit fraud. Bank accounts and passports have to be in your legal name though.

I'd do as pp have suggested and ask everyone to call you William for at least 6 months to a year to see how you like it first, the last thing you want to do is change your name by deed poll, change bank accounts, passport, driving licence etc and then end up not liking it in a year.

After this time if you still want to change it then go for it. Your parents may be a bit hurt but it's you that has to be called by your name, plus after being called William for a year they'll be a bit more used to it.

My cousin changed their name a few years ago as they hated their name and had been known as a differnt version of their name (eg called Edward but known as Teddy ) for years. My aunt and uncle were already used to the different name by the time it was legally changed so it didn't cause too much upset.

There's nothing in law to stop you using whatever name you want, provided you're not attempting to defraud. Your only problem comes with doing things where your identity needs to be checked, eg applying for a bank account or a passport - in that case, it isn't the law to say that your name change must have been by deed poll, but you have to build up a bank of evidence to prove who you are, and a deed poll may be the only way to demonstrate the adult normally known as Will Smith was indeed born in the UK but was registered as Bill Smith.. deedpolloffice.com/change-name/law

See my Parents - and the rest of my family - would never call me Will or William even if I asked. My aunt is usually called the unisex short version by her family of her longer official name despite the fact she has told us she dislikes the shortened version and always introduces herself to new people by the longer version.

OP are you the poster who's studying law at Uni?

Agree with getting people to call you William for a good few months and then see how you feel

It's your choice and you can change your name to whatever you like

You're 21 mate, do what you like

I might try getting non family to call me Will.