Has anyone changed their name? I want something more unique

[cepheid]

For extra flare, throw in an "r" and roll it !

Well, that would certainly make for an interesting moniker...

 

[leroyjenkens]

Does the USA have regulations for name assignment? With the names I've heard come by I would assume not.

Nope, no rules.

 

[pa5tabear]

Well this thread got popular :)

I was hoping to get feedback on the idea of actually changing a name.

I would do this because I think a name is a very important symbol to represent who you are. It is often also the first thing a person might judge you on, and is the symbol that people use to remember you by.

I think a first name should be generic, or at least easy to pronounce, but I think a last name should add some element of uniqueness.

I know that in the big picture, what you actually do matters much more than what you are called. But I think what you are called still matters some.

I look at people around me, and I realize I did form initial opinions on name. And of course, once the inception occurs, the mind looks to reaffirm the idea.

My name is fine, but not great. Some people's names however... I would really not want it. And I don't understand how someone ever thought it a good choice. I think these people should definitely change their name, because I think everyone around them forms at least some sort of initial expectation when they hear the name.

Give me some hard analysis of these ideas PF... am I overly shallow?

 

[Danger]

am I overly shallow?

Yes, but it's common. For instance, your name implies to me that you are large and eat a lot of macaroni. I won't judge you for it, though.

 

[lisab]

I knew a woman years ago who wanted to change her name to "Lotus". Just Lotus.

So she took the legal steps (show you're not a felon, give the court a list of your creditors, etc.) and went to court to make her case to the judge.

She was nervous but she had a long, thought-out argument ready. Her case came up, the judge looked at the paperwork, nodded to the clerk, and it was a done deal. She never got to argue her case!

As long as you have a clean record, it's not a big deal.

Unless you get the jerk judge, I guess.

 

[Monique]

Give me some hard analysis of these ideas PF... am I overly shallow?

An analysis of what? As I said, it depends on what you want your unique name to be and how different it is from your current name. People change their names, I even forgot to mention all the Chinese people who adopt a Western name.

One of the criteria in the Netherlands is that you can change it easily if it's a common name, which makes sense. I know a number of males from the Czech Republic and they are all called Pavel, it led me to conclude that all Czech males carry the same name

 

[Danger]

all Czech males carry the same name

That's because their birth certificates are filled out by a Czech-writing machine rather than by hand.

 

[DaveC426913]

:ba DUM bum tss:

 

[chemisttree]

Jimmy is a nice name.

UniqueJimmy is more unique, however; it's not nearly as unique as UniqueMonique.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

UniqueJimmy is more unique, however; it's not nearly as unique as UniqueMonique.

Unique New York Unique New York Unique New York. The arsonist has oddly shaped feet. The human torch was denied a bank loan.

 

[pa5tabear]

This discussion isn't really going where I wanted it to go, so I'll try and be more direct.

I'm entertaining the idea of changing my last name. I'm fine with my first name, despite it being very common and generic. I would change my last name for the following reasons:

-I'm not proud of my father's actions and the last name is a constant reminder of him
-I don't like the sound of it that much. It's okay, but I can think of lots of names which I like the sound of much more. I assume other people might have similar aesthetic feelings towards it. I know I have like certain last names more than others.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

This discussion isn't really going where I wanted it to go.

This is your decision. If it helps you forget about your father, and you think that it will improve your life, then go ahead and do it. The feedback you're looking for, I presume, is that people will reassure you that this is the right thing to do, and that you'll be fine.

Humans have names so that we have something to call each other. If I walked up to you and you told me that your name was John Smith, or if you told me that your name was John Rodriguez, or John Alvarez, or John Carr, or anything, then I would think absolutely nothing of it. The only thought going through my mind is, "oh, when I see this guy again, I need to remember to call him John -----."

You clearly have reasons behind wanting to change your name that equate to something more than changing your name for namesake. If the pros outweigh the cons, then by all means, change your name.

 

[Monique]

I'm entertaining the idea of changing my last name.

No wonder the discussion is not going in the direction you want to if you omit such details in your first posts. I've given examples of friends changing their last name, which you haven't addressed. I really don't know why you need other people's opinion, it's your decision and you need to live with it.

 

[SW VandeCarr]

Since you can't decide on a new surname, why not just use your first name (which you seem to like)? Your name could just be, for example, Frank or Sarah depending on your gender. I see no reason why you must have a last name. If you do, just repeat your first name, like Major Major in the Joseph Heller novel "Catch 22". Actually Major Major's middle name was also Major and he was a major in the US Army, so his full ID was Major Major Major Major.

EDIT: A common first name can be an unusual last name. Consider US Congressman and (still) presidential candidate Ron Paul. I think the reason he got elected to Congress was his unusual last name (I can't think of any other reason unless you think the country was perfect in 1912). Now if he had changed his first name to Paul, I think he would have been president by now

 

[chemisttree]

This discussion isn't really going where I wanted it to go, so I'll try and be more direct.

I'm entertaining the idea of changing my last name. I'm fine with my first name, despite it being very common and generic. I would change my last name for the following reasons:

-I'm not proud of my father's actions and the last name is a constant reminder of him
-I don't like the sound of it that much. It's okay, but I can think of lots of names which I like the sound of much more. I assume other people might have similar aesthetic feelings towards it. I know I have like certain last names more than others.

1. "Unique" is not the same as "different from my father".
2. My wife changed her last name. She had a bit of trepidation initially but it wore off.

Good luck! I hope you find the man of your dreams!

 

[nitsuj]

You should pronounce mine with a distinguished French flare

Mine too, Justin is pronounced much different with a French accent than in English. (spell check looking for a Cap on english but not french)

That said, I personally find my name with a French accent to sound too feminine for my ego.

 

[Danger]

I personally find my name with a French accent to sound too feminine for my ego.

We could always just call you "Miss Bateman" instead.

 

[nitsuj]

I work at a business that includes a "Garden Center"...I had to google "miss Bateman", I assume reference to "a Rose by any other name..." :shy: &

"I tell you life ain't easy for a boy named Sue!"

Funny note, more often than I like my name is misspelled "Justine".

 

[Danger]

I assume reference to "a Rose by any other name...

I wish that I was that clever, but alas...
I've never heard of the flower and didn't know about your association with gardening. My reference was simply to the actress.
(I'll file that info away for use in future jokes, though.)