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[Closed] Anyone change their first name?

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Been thinking about it on and off for years. Just wondering what's involved. Is it a major hassle? Also wondering how you went about picking a replacement? Also how did friends and family react to it?

Thanks.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:10 pm
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Not quite the same, but used my middle name since I changed schools at around 7 years old. 1st name Nicky and it drew a bit of micky taking being a bit girly. So started using David. Slightly regret it now, but family still fall me Nick. Wife, daughter and friends call me Dave


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:14 pm
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Really

"Call me Dave"


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:16 pm
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Back in the day a friend of mine changed his name twice at the expense of the taxpayer (he was on the dole at the time). First to Moya then to Bela Lugosi. Always amused when his Giro arrived. Seemed to be fairly straightforward though.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:21 pm
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First to Moya then to Bela Lugosi

Blimey, think I'd change it to the most boring and inconspicuous name I can think of. Or I may just ask for suggestions from friends and pick one out of a hat 🙂


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:29 pm
 xcgb
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Wife, daughter and friends call me Dave

You are IDave and I claim my £5!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:34 pm
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what is your current first name?


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:35 pm
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i changed my first name a few years back, wont say what it used to be but i'm now 'Phil', which if you trust those little 'what your name means' things they used to sell in clinton cards, means 'lover of horses'

i don't love horses.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:36 pm
 grum
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i changed my first name a few years back, wont say what it used to be but i'm now 'Phil'

I don't know why you changed it, it's not like being called 'Cockchops' is that embarrassing really.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:37 pm
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I've toyed with the idea of changing my middle name as I hate it, but I'd view as insulting my parents and bless 'em, they have enough to deal with 🙂


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:42 pm
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i dont have a middle name, but if i did i'd change it to cockchops


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:50 pm
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My friend was called Richard but decided to change it to Sam one day in primary school. Now every one calls him Sam and even his work refers to him as Sam on the web. It's not legal though.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:50 pm
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I'm also known by my middle name, always have been due to a quirky family thing. I would prefer to go by my first name but at 33 it's probably too late to change now.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:54 pm
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A girl at work changed her first name when she got married (as well as changing her surname). She says she just never liked her original name - new name is a complete fiction, not related to middle names or anything.

She got a fair amount of stick from people who couldn't understand it, and loads of intrusive questioning about what her parents would think; not from me, I hasten to add - she can be called whatever she likes in my opinion.

It took about 2 months for people to get used to the idea and stop commenting on it. One guy here (her boss) actually admitted last week that he couldn't remember her old name, despite working with her for a year prior to the name change!

Dave


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 2:58 pm
 DezB
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Iv'e considered it recently.
Decided I'll just kick the shit out of Rick Gervais instead
[img] [/img]

apparently MrBlobby's first name is [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Blobby ]Barry[/url]. Barry Blobby.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:10 pm
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The insulting to parents thing is a real consideration, but they are fully aware of what I think of their choice of names (first and middle are frankly ridiculous.) I think it would still be disappointing for them but probably not as bad as the 40 years that I've had to put up with the names they chose.

It's funny how something that you have no say over is deemed so integral to your identity.

TBH, I'm actually not that bothered about the first name anymore but the middle name is god awful.

real_ben10, I know what you mean about it being too late to change it, wish I'd done it in my 20s.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:18 pm
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21229475

Its not "Number 14 Bus Shelter" is it?


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:21 pm
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Someone called their kid "Semicolon"?! 😯


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:24 pm
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My friend was called Richard but decided to change it to Sam one day in primary school.
One of the kids in my class at primary school tried to do this (which we went along with). But then the parents complained and the teachers made us call him by his given name. Sad to say we all caved. Can't remember now what either name was though!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:36 pm
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[i]Semicolon[/i]

his sister's called 'Fullcolon' and just sounds like she needs a poo all the time...


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:37 pm
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mrblobby - Member

Someone called their kid "Semicolon"?!

That's a half-arsed effort.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:39 pm
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Girl i knew woke up after a heavy session. At some point during the immense hangover went online and checked her emails

Thank you for using deedpoll online service

She had no memory of changing her name to Clarity. 😆


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:42 pm
 hels
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I worked with a guy whose name on his birth certificate was Semiquaver. He went by "Semi" which is not an uncommon name for Samoans so never really raised any questions. How we laughed when we saw his payslip one time. His brother was Demiquaver. Musical family. True story !


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:43 pm
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I used to work with a guy I new as "Paddy"... his father was "Paddy"... his grandfather was "Paddy" etc... but none of them ever had Paddy or Patrick etc as a name. Great fun when your trying to find out what room he is in at a hotel/etc when you don't actually know his proper first name.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:44 pm
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Ah, the dark side of casual racism.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 3:53 pm
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Thank you for using deedpoll online service

Blimey, didn't realise you can do it all online. There's even an express one hour service!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:07 pm
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lol @ cockchops!!!

actually...

Andy Cockchops M1llh0use. it's got a certain ring to it!!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:07 pm
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if ever i have a kid it's first name is going to be one of the following:

Captain
General
King/Queen
Doctor
Misses/Mistah
Oi

no middle name, just one of the above and my surname.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:09 pm
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This lot managed it.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:10 pm
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Philconsequences, hoping for some nominative determinism? I may not ask you for suggestions when picking a new name 🙂


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:13 pm
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nope, no nomination determinators here. just want to ensure they always get a table or good seat if they have to ring up and book something.

its the little things that mean my kids will have a good life, and mean that i'll surely win father of the year


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:16 pm
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its the little things that mean my kids will have a good life, and mean that i'll surely win father of the year

Having grown up with a ridiculous name, for the sake of the happiness of your child, I urge you to reconsider 🙂

When you changed to Phil did you just do the deedpoll thing? And why choose Phil?


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:20 pm
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Cockchopsconsequence.

Now that's a proper forum name.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:25 pm
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Abel Smith did it easily enough.

TAFAKSTR
You are Rodney Trotter and I claim my £5


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:25 pm
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Hmm according to the [url= http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/your_family/family/change_of_name.htm ]citizens advice[/url] website you can change your name by just making a public announcement. I wonder if a post on STW is sufficient?


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:37 pm
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Can you change someone else's name by making an announcement though?

That would be more fun I think


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:38 pm
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I'd be changing my surname away from 'blobby' tbh.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:39 pm
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I'd be changing my surname away from 'blobby' tbh.

That may not be my real name. Though if it was it wouldn't be much worse.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:42 pm
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I suppose your initials aren't M and R either?

~Tsk, people on here using fake names 🙄


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:44 pm
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Might not be. Though I did have a friend who's initials were D and R and he became a doctor.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:45 pm
 edd
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So what is your first name mrblobby, and what do you want to change it to?


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:50 pm
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Someone called their kid "Semicolon"?!

Little Bobby Tables?


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:51 pm
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I met a guy in Australia called Ray Gay, he was gutted that his son had changed his surname. I think it might have had more to do with the fact that his dad was a caravan park dwelling alcoholic!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 4:59 pm
 grum
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That's a half-arsed effort.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:01 pm
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So what is your first name mrblobby, and what do you want to change it to?

It's in my profile 🙂

First name is Hefin. I use to intensly dislike it but now I'm indifferent towards it. It's of welsh origin but I'm english, I've lived in England most of my life. I have to spell it to people and listen to it being mispronounced on a daily basis. And the middle name is much worse. People also assume I'm interested in rugby.

Edit: ... and I haven't a bloody clue what I'd change it to. Partly why I've never changed it. Probably be a case of opening a random page in a name book and picking the first one I see.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:03 pm
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If it bothers you then change it but, tbh, as names go I wouldn't look twice at yours unless your surname was Hell.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:05 pm
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Yes, it could indeed be a lot worse (though I've not told you my middle name!)


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:07 pm
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Hefin Andy Hell.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:11 pm
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Jefin?


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:12 pm
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You could just change it to the English translation.

Oh...


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:13 pm
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Much worse 😕

You could just change it to the English translation.

Well the English translation would be June or maybe Summer, but I'd need more than a name change for that!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:13 pm
 edd
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It's in my profile

Oh yes, I see!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:16 pm
 Moe
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The ultimate thoughtless parents are those with the surname of Hunt who call their son 'Michael' ..... I used to work with one, he was a complete nutcase and you have to wonder how different things could've been if he not had to live with that? Also knew a guy who changed his name from Kevin because of Harry Enfields character!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:30 pm
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Ned Rocknroll was something like Abel Smith before, for those who think WHO!? He's Richard Branson's nephew (I think) and recently got married to Kate Winslet.

I know someone who hates his Welsh name Ellwyn so everyone knows him as Thatch, he wouldn't answer to Ellwyn!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:45 pm
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Haven't done so. But if I did it would be to Esselgruntfuttock. Never before has a name managed to incorporate so many of the things that make me who I am 8)


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:53 pm
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Yes, I changed my name three years ago. Was really, really easy.

You just need to create a Statutory Declaration*, take to to a solicitor and get it notarised (witnessed and stamped by a notary, as most solicitors are)

Cost me £5 and that included 5 certified copies.

I did feel a tiny bit daft standing up and reading it out loud in the solicitor's office, as is required!!

*example here: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/ips/19049-misc-info-related-2009-10/19049-statutory-declaration?view=Binary

Rachel


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 5:55 pm
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Just wondering what's involved.

The only legal requirement is you make out a Change of Name Deed (aka Deed Poll), send it to all the people that have your name, and abide by the law by not using your old name in future.

There is absolutely no need to pay any money to anyone for the Change of Name Deed.

The form is available online (I forget where).

I have done this for a few people including my youngest.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 6:03 pm
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You just need to create a Statutory Declaration*, take to to a solicitor and get it notarised (witnessed and stamped by a notary, as most solicitors are)

Cost me £5 and that included 5 certified copies.

That is incorrect. You do not need to involve solicitors nor any official notary.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 6:04 pm
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Incidentally, I changed the name of a minor, and even then you do not need to involve any third party.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 6:06 pm
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mrblobby, give me your e-mial addy, I'll send you what we printed out, with the names removed.

Edit: cancel that, it was made for a minor, be too hard for me to change it back. I'll find where I found the original, hang on...


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 6:07 pm
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Just go here, they know their stuff:

[url= http://freedeedpoll.org.uk/ ]Free Deed Poll[/url]


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 6:10 pm
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Oh, and junior changed his surname.

I've come across a few folk that think there's some limitations on this, but there aren't (as long as the name change isn't to deceive.)


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 6:13 pm
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Thanks, it all does seem surprisingly straightforward. Wish I'd realised this in my twenties!

Rachel, good name. How did you pick that?

Ellwyn is pretty bad, not heard that one before. Almost on a par with my middle name!


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 6:30 pm
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Mods, if you're reading this you have my full permission to change my username to cockchopsconsequence 😆

i didn't actually change my name to phil, there'd be no point changing my first name as my surname is silly enough and i couldn't bring myself to change that


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 7:32 pm
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If you absolutely have to pay someone to make it feel more legal, give the £5 £10 or whatever to a charity. They need it more than the solicitors do, and the validity of any name change is exactly the same.


 
Posted : 05/02/2013 7:39 pm
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mrblobby - Member

Hmm according to the citizens advice website you can change your name by just making a public announcement. I wonder if a post on STW is sufficient?

Hear yee,Hear Yee,"i now want to be known,

as,COCKCHOPS !"....

Thats it then,all done.....


 
Posted : 21/02/2013 10:49 am
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If I'd have been a girl, my parents were going to call me Una, FFS.

The male name I got is a bit crap. My mum called her horse Ross and I got Ian. Brilliant. Thanks.

Ian the horse.


 
Posted : 21/02/2013 10:57 am
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Haven't changed it legally, but I always (and much prefer to) use my nickname in everything except official matters (like banking, house-buying etc)

Everyone that matters knows me as Chas.

Real name's Colin. Always hated it. Handy that they share the same initial so can often get away with just 'C' when form-filling etc.


 
Posted : 21/02/2013 1:13 pm
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i changed my first name a few years back, wont say what it used to be but i'm now 'Phil'

You are Zaphod Beeblebrox AICMFP.

Hefin doesn't sound too bad to me, nor does Ellwyn, although if you're pronouncing the double l the Welsh way that could cause problems.

We fancied giving our kids Welsh names, fortunatley there are plenty that are easy for English people to pronounce and spell, and are well known.

I've got a cousin called Angharadd, she'll be ok if she doens't leave Wales I reckon. Which is not likely tbh.


 
Posted : 21/02/2013 1:25 pm