If you’ve changed your name or know somebody who has

[GingerAndLemonn]

How does that work with people who have known you for years? Spouses and family etc would they call you by your new name?

Ive always wanted to change my name and this was just something that popped into my head earlier!

Yes I do. Most people will just comply with your wish. Some will find it more difficult. Just persist if it's important to you.

My mother was supportive which made a huge difference. She battled to be called her full name (think Margaret not Peggy). But her parents might still call her Peggy & she indulged them. She'd scold her brothers if they said Peggy, though. Some very old family friends still lapse & call me by my childhood name: I find this sweet, that they remember that I had that name.

I think it helps to be a bit laid back about it. Give people time to get used to the change unless you think they are being willfully lazy.

Just tell then that from a date henceforth you want to be called x. If they are true friends they will respect your wishes

I know for a fact my mother would not call be my a new name! I guess I’m just worried about eye rolls from friends about it.

They key is not to be angry if someone gets it wrong (I suppose sort of like pronouns too). I had a friend who changed their name, but I had known them for 5 years by then and I couldn't help but sometimes call them by their former name because it's what I was used to. They got so angry and even physically attacked me over referencing them by their old name. Now I have nothing more to do with them.

Everyone apart from my dad complied although my mum put inverted commas, verbally, round my name. Irritatingly I have never changed my passport etc so still grapple with two names

A friends daughter changed her name. It’s been a few years now and her ‘new’ name is the only one she is known by

I’m not sure it would be possible, tbh.

I have toyed with changing my name from time to time but the above puts me off.

I should say that I adopted my new name 46 years ago!

My DC has changed their name from a girls name to a non binary name, I told family and my friends they need to try to use their new name and why and everyone has been respectful. They have also changed it at school and the teachers use it but not officially by deed poll or anything as yet but everyone calls them by their new name. I was sad at first and it took time to get used to but I love their new name now.

At the age of 22 my SIL wanted to be known by her first name (rather than her middle name). Everyone happily agreed to do this accept her sister…..

My mum changed her whole name when I was a teen. She took her old first name as a middle name and people who knew her before mostly call that and she’s fine with it. Everyone she’s met since obviously calls her the new name. She’s supremely unprecious and did it as a positive thing for herself after divorcing my dad and realising she hated her first and middle names. Made no difference to me as she’s mum but from the day she changed it I’ve introduced her by her new name.

one of the best things I've done for me is change my name. I did it 10 years ago and it's really nice when people don't know me as any other name compliment me on my name. most relatives and older friends accepted my change just fine. its quite surprising how many people have changed names

My best friend changed her name to her middle name 8 years into our friendship. It was tricky at first but I made the effort as respected her wishes. Became natural/normal after about a year. Her mum still calls her by original name but everyone otherwise knows her as middle name.

I was thinking using my middle name but it’s the same name as my husband haha!

Yes, a relative did this. It took a little while to get used to calling them by their new name, with the occasional old name being used, but now they are just 'the new name' and it would never occur to me, or anyone who knew them by their birth name previously, to use that name.

I know about 3 or 4 people that have changed there original name. Everyone just calls them there prefered name. Some family and friends might find it difficult at first but they will get used to it.

My best friend changed his name. I knew him for Arbor 7 years before he changed it. I called him by his first name a few times but I quickly got used to his new name. I couldn't imagine calling him by his old name now, in hindsight, it didn't really suit him.

Slightly off topic, but most of my nearest and dearest don't actually call me by my proper name. Its all nick names, abbreviations and pet names. The only person who uses my proper name is my boss.

I know someone who changed their surname , which was loaded with baggage from marriage and other later relationships , to her favourite gin ....to wind her up I amuse myself by calling her ms Bombay Sapphire, her retort is that xxxxxx is MUCH classier !
And to answer ops question ..no problems with accepting from others but that maybe because society is used to women changing surnames..given names less so.perhaps .

You don't need to change your name by deed poll in England because you can call yourself whatever you like. However, for parents and under-age children legal issues may arise if, say, the child has a particular name on the birth certificate and parents separate. Also, if a name change is about committing fraud. I've always been known by my second name, even by my own parents, so God knows why they didn't make that my first name.

I can be titled as 'Lady itsnotmeitsu' because I've bought myself that title (not the itsnotmeitsu bit 🤔) and can legally use that title on my bank account, etc, but not a passport. I don't do that, but have cards printed with it on. I've only ever handed them out in America to people asking for my phone number 🙂

You will get some eye rolls.
when something is eye roll worthy, they just happen. Most people
will do their best to remember to use your new name though.

Mothers should be given some allowance. You grew inside of her. Bestowing you with a name was kind of a big deal. Adapting may take some time.

do be aware that if you ever get the kind of job where background checks or certifications are important, you are creating a paperwork nightmare.

@GingerAndLemonn > Because my official first name is 'A...' when I'm at the doctors, etc, they'll call out the name and I'm thinking that's not me. With the people I have regular appointments with, eg dentist, hairdresser, they know the name I go by and will call me by my life-long middle name. I don't recognise myself as the person with that first name. You may find people don't see you as you with a different name, because that's all they've been used to.

I've had three surnames (two marriages). If I need to fill in forms where all the names I've used have to be known, that's what I do, write them on the form.