Teenager wants to change their name

[Stressedgiraffe]

I don't know what to do. I've said if they still want to do it at 18 they can. My major worry is that what they want to change it to isn't a name it's a noun. I don't want to say the name but think 'table' ' truck' 'monitor'
I worry that they won't be taken seriously when they get a job/career.
They don't want it to stay as a nickname but as their proper name.
What would you do?

Another Tank Girl fan here, originally drawn by Jamie Hewlett who went on to do Gorillaz.
Can't you just deluge them with merch this Christmas. There's an amazing reprint door poster out there and the book and watch the film. Add in a few second hand vinyl with limited edition prints of the Senseless Things with the same artwork.
Totally embrace and say you got distracted it was more fun than chasing forms.

A longer and more responsible Google, and reference to a fairly recent MN thread that went into this in a lot of detail, would reveal that the circumstance where you can get an exam certificate reissued with a new name are vanishingly small. The issue of a Gender Reassignment Certificate being the only one where it applies.

This, you need to be the adult here and try and limit the ridiculousness that children try and bestow upon themselves.

Nothing wrong with being known by a different name than their legal name, but you wouldn't want them to do something that they will really regret in the future.

I'm sorry but the name Tank is ridiculous and all those posters who are saying its fine, are being ludicrous, it isn't fine, and everyone who meets your DD when she is older will think she is ridiculous. She's just trying to be a cool "look how unique I am" teenager, which is fine when it doesn't have lifelong implications. Good luck OP, hang tight with the definitely not before you are 18.

Personally I would have nipped this in the bud 3 years ago and refused to call them by that name, and have told them to stop being a moron, and for what it's worth, our DS2's legal name is Isaac but he is known by Zac. I am happy to call him that because at least it is an actual normal name.

This. This is perfect.

OP is the name really Tank? Isn't anyone else confused that the first post guessed it right?

My daughter hated her middle name as a teenage, I was upset because it’s my middle name and the name of both her grandmothers and my grandmother. It’s not old fashioned ok not a first name, I would have used it if it was, but a middle name is fine. But she was adamant she wanted to get rid.

I suggested she wait until she was 21, prepared to except at 18 she would probably do it, but trying to push for longer.

18 came and went then 21, she still doesn’t like the name, but had said she understands the family history and has decided to live with it.

Does the child have an obsession with these objects? That could be an explanation.

You are meeting them half way by using it within the family. They can change it officially when they are 18 if they still wish to.

We had a teacher called Mr Way. He was always known as "Milky": I don't think he changed his name to "Milky", though

At 16 I'm afraid it's their choice, not yours. They can change it without consent.

Ultimately it's their life. They can always change it back later if they want.

And I've interviewed people with all sorts of weird names. It's increasingly common in younger generations.

Nickname, ‘known as’ for now. Adult at 18, can do it if they pay for it.

Hi Op, I’m sure you’ve Googled and probably so has your child. They can legally change their name for 16, I was a family law paralegal and Deed Polls were part of my job. I did have a girl visit me on her 16th birthday to change her name from something to her grandma’s name instead which I thought was very sweet. I also had an older guy who was dating someone very well to do and wanted to make his name sound posher before he met her parents!
I’m sorry that this is the other way and falls into the category of nice name to silly name (which I have heard of but not done one myself yet!). If they are willing to compromise and wait until 18 then hopefully they grow out of it in that time. I’m afraid this is just one of those things that will probably be done eventually with your support or not.

I actually really like "Tank" as a name.

If it was "Latrine" or "Hedgerow" I would have reservations, but Tank is good.

Have you shown her the episode of Friends where Phoebe changes her name to Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock?

Also have you raised with her the concern that he friends might give her the nickname "Septic"?

OP, prevaricate like crazy about changing the name before GCSE. Eventually in life you don’t have to show your GCSE certificates often, but Tank will probably change their mind by the time they are 20 so keep GCSE stuff in their current name.

Legally, in UK they can change their name by deed poll without your consent

I still have a tattoo I got as a teenager I thought the design was a great idea at the time..yeah it was a bad idea..

Is this to do with gender Op?

@AConcernedCitizen I know a Milky! Or, at least I did about 20 years ago! He was a barman in Brighton.

Every industry and job is different - but it wouldn't stop us from inviting them for an interview. Tank doesn't sound like totally a "non name". Some kids have really weird names anyway these days, and a name is just a name as far as we're concerned. We might think twice if it sounded totally made up or was offensive - but I don't think Tank is either. There will be some kid out there named Tank at birth!

I once knew a girl who changed her name to Brick. It was part of being non-binary. She decided she was not non-binary after a year or so and went back to her real name. Ironically she was studying architecture so I privately thought Brick was actually a really good name lol

I wouldn't let your DC get anything 'official' in their new name such as academic qualifications because it'll lead to a lot of hassle when they stop using the nickname.

Wouldn’t bother me. They can always change it back.

So? Perhaps he/she hasn’t met the Tanker the W**r or Septic jokes yet but they will. I won’t tell you what my nickname was as a teen because it’s cringeworthy now - as is Tank.

My guess is their real name is Anastasia or something like that, and if it's that, it's terrible to change it as it's a beautiful Russian origin name! Teens are teens, I wouldn't facilitate this, I would give them the facts and why I thought it wasn't a good idea on paperwork right now and then let them get on with it.

I went to college with a Satchel, and I know a Rocky, and a Moss, and a Wolf and a Honey, I do agree nature names are easier. And a Tyger as well.