Has anyone changed their name?

[poppyzbrite4]

My passport expires in 2022 and I'm thinking hard about changing my whole name (first name/middle name/surname).

I want to separate myself from my past (abusive) and my family who are also abusive. I kind of want to disappear and reappear as someone else without all that baggage. My first name is a bastard as it's unusual and really singles me out from others, which I hate as I have social anxiety. People remember it and I was really badly bullied at school and it's all linked up to that. I want to separate myself from that.

I know I'm not going to be a new person, I am in my right mind and have done a load of therapy and it's something I've been thinking about for a while.

Has anyone done this? I'd do it by deedpoll and then contact the relevant institutions to have it changed. It just seems so radical and I'm worried I'll regret it.

Ive known people do that as part of moving on in their mental health / leaving old stuff behind -
Go for it ! You can always change it back if you change your mind
😊

I did, yes.

I went through the maternal maiden names of the women on my Dads side and went for my Grandmas mother’s maiden name.

Don’t regret it one bit, love it.

@Schmoozer

Ive known people do that as part of moving on in their mental health / leaving old stuff behind - Go for it ! You can always change it back if you change your mind 😊

Yes I can, can't I. I hadn't really thought of that as it seemed so serious. My family will go ape as well, if they find out as we're estranged. I'm glad to hear it's worked for others, it just feels like a fresh start. I'm worried it's just something I'm going through and I'll come out the other side and think what the hell was I thinking???

Do you have a lot of people you are still in contact with that would find it confusing (friends, work etc?). That would be my biggest worry.

But if not, or you're thinking of moving to a different area and starting again, then I think you should go for it. Life's too short to be unhappy.

@MyGorramShip

I did, yes.

I went through the maternal maiden names of the women on my Dads side and went for my Grandmas mother’s maiden name.

Don’t regret it one bit, love it.

I'm SO pleased that you did it and love it. That's so good to hear! I don't want anything from my family on either side, I want to get completely away from them and will be choosing completely new surname for myself. It's very exciting.

@SnoozyBoozy

Do you have a lot of people you are still in contact with that would find it confusing (friends, work etc?). That would be my biggest worry.

But if not, or you're thinking of moving to a different area and starting again, then I think you should go for it. Life's too short to be unhappy.

No, not at all. It wouldn't really affect anything or anyone. I don't have children, it won't affect work and I don't know anyone where I live.

There was another thread on here about a woman changing her surname and people were making suggestions. If that’s not you then you might want to read it for some inspiration.

The only advice I can offer is to make sure you really like it before you fill in the paperwork! Try it out for a few weeks, writing it down, getting your friends to call you that etc. while you test drive it.

I knew someone who changed her name on a monthly basis to that of the latest heroine in her latest mills and boon book. It was a bit out of hand as she wanted all her bank cards etc updated. This was back in the day so I don’t imagine that can happen now but it was a load of hassle for those in the bank/library etc and she got told to pick a name and keep it or go elsewhere!

@Elieza

There was another thread on here about a woman changing her surname and people were making suggestions. If that’s not you then you might want to read it for some inspiration.

The only advice I can offer is to make sure you really like it before you fill in the paperwork! Try it out for a few weeks, writing it down, getting your friends to call you that etc. while you test drive it.

I knew someone who changed her name on a monthly basis to that of the latest heroine in her latest mills and boon book. It was a bit out of hand as she wanted all her bank cards etc updated. This was back in the day so I don’t imagine that can happen now but it was a load of hassle for those in the bank/library etc and she got told to pick a name and keep it or go elsewhere!

No, that's not me but I did read the thread with interest and there were some great suggestions.

I have until 2022 when I'll get a new passport, so it won't be a spur of the moment thing. Thank you.