I left my controlling and emotionally abusive husband when my son was 3 weeks old, he is now 12 weeks old. My husband didn't care for or support me during pregnancy and bullied me into our son's name. He has also had very little interest in our son and only sees him as a trophy and a way to win me back (NOT happening!!!) My husband is Tunisian and said we had to have a traditional Tunisian middle name which would be [first name] Ben [father's name] [surname]. He refused to talk to me for a week until I agreed.
Of everything he did in our relationship, this is my biggest regret that I never got to chose our son's name but I am the one looking after him. He doesn't provide financially and has been told by the court he can only have 2 hours supervised visit a week - which he hasn't asked for more.
Our son is called Malik Ben Mokhles - which I feel is completely Tunisian and takes none of my English culture and heritage into account. I worry if people saw his name they wouldnt expect me to be his mother. I have looked into changing DS name and I know I can't change his surname without my husband's permission - which I will never get, but I have read you can change the forenames up to 12 months after registering the birth and can't see anything about needing the father's permission. I rang up the registry office and they sent me the form to change his name and as far as I can see you don't need the father's permission. I just wondered if anyone knew whether this was correct and I could change my son's name?? I want him to be Malik George and I will unofficially use my surname.
Thanks!!