Have you ever considered changing your name?

[ofwarren]

Disclaimer, this is the neurodiverse mumsnetters board so I'm looking for responses from other ND women

Have you considered changing your name or have you actually done it?

I've never liked hearing my name or saying it when people ask me what it is. It's of its time and there are so many more attractive ones. I never got given a middle name either and would really like one.

I know what the process tochange it is but I was just wondering if anyone had already done it, why they did it and what everyone's reaction was.

I did! Both first name and surname. So much more me. I didn't have many people to tell tbh as not many friends! I was a tiny bit nervous about telling doctors, bills people etc all the people I had to change it with weirdly, but it was fine. Makes me so much happier.

@Nortd

I did! Both first name and surname. So much more me. I didn't have many people to tell tbh as not many friends! I was a tiny bit nervous about telling doctors, bills people etc all the people I had to change it with weirdly, but it was fine. Makes me so much happier.

Brilliant! Does it feel nicer hearing your name said by a receptionist in a waiting room for example?

Yes it just sounds so much more "me" and when I have to write it out etc it's just relieving as it's just so much more me.
I was nervous before hand like oh people will think this is weird but tbh changing your name as an adult because you want to is less weird than changing it when you get married (IMHO anyway!) and people don't bat an eyelid at that. You have to live with it for life, habe to use it all the time, so why not have something you want as it!

I don’t like my name but I would never upset my mother by changing it.

@MaggieMooh

I don’t like my name but I would never upset my mother by changing it.

That is a worry too. Not really that I would upset her, but the hassle of her saying I'm being stupid.
A lot of that is a throwback from my childhood though. My parents were not very good ones. I was ridiculed a lot by both of them.

I don't like my first name. It's a constant reminder that the evil maternal bio unit helped to choose it. I've never really considered changing it. If I did I'd like to be called something like Tilly or after a tree perhaps. People would stare at me even more though 😭

I hate my name and I’ve wanted to change it for so long. I even have a new named locked out. Unfortunately, I am quite well know in my industry and my name is very unique so it would be very awkward to do it. So, yeah I know how you feel!

I'd like to do it. I always really hated my name growing up, it's just so common and dull and boring. I always dreamed of getting married to someone with a really interesting surname that I could change mine to, but it's barely any better! I can make my peace with my first and middle names but I'd love to change my surname to something of my choice, if DH and I ever split I think I definitely would!

I actually like my first name but hated my surname due to association with my birth father, who's name I still had after my Mim divided him. So I changed my surname when I was 10. Weirdly didn't need any permission from my birth father (although Mum probably told the solicitor - rightly - that we hadn't a clue where he bloody was anyway)

I've always felt empowered by the fact that was my choice and I was allowed to do that.

I am also a Miss. I am unmarried. I very much like being Miss. I get very very uppity if someone calls out in a waiting room "Mrs Zebra?" like the bloody school do all the time

Are you me? Wow. I didn't realise this was such a common Nd thing.

I have tried name changing but dealing with all the admin and communicating to people the change was overwhelming.

I feel kind of nameless. Close people know not to say my name out loud to me.

I often fantasise about changing my name to that of my alter-ego, who is the focus of a lot of my thoughts, but, like pps, I can't face the admin. I went through it to change my name when I got married as I was desperate to get rid of my childhood surname, associated with endless name-calling and bullying; and once was enough. I have some jewellery engraved with the name of my alter-ego which I wear sometimes to give me confidence - it's a beautiful and unusual name, like my alter-ego who is the beautiful person I will never be.

I don’t have very strong feelings about my name, I just hate other people using it. It makes me feel weird - almost like I’m naked - kind of. I hated teachers writing my name when they gave feedback on my work. I don’t mind seeing it typed but I feel weird about it hand written.

I much prefer people using a diminutive or getting it confused with a similar, more common name.

I’m not sure if changing it would make any difference, though.