Changing one's surname

Aud · 03-21-2014, 12:34 PM

I considered changing my surname as a young adult (18-19) to my father's surname, as I felt it was rightfully mine & also as some passive-aggressive way to thumb my nose at him. Thankfully, I was too cheap and worked too hard for my money to make this meaningless change. I carry my maternal grandfather's surname, which I'm ok with. It has a rich, interesting history--Yet, it doesn't come with much of a sense of belonging. But as it stands, the only surname I would want is a spouse's. In fact, I think I'd be crushed if they didn't ask me to, or at least offer for me to take on some wonderfully pretentious hyphenated version of both our last names.

imperfect_cupcake · 03-21-2014, 12:40 PM

I changed my last name though not legally. since I write and am on line for other things, I go by a different last name. Only my old close friends, work, legal things and my family know my legal name. I actually like it this way. My face book and my pen name are the same, but my legal name stays off the internet.

I chose a name according to my birth mother's heritage and the meaning of the name.
It's welsh Gaelic for "of the sea"
I love the sea. And it sounds good. Also, its rather common so if people google me to stalk me, they are rather shit out of luck LOL.

Parker · 03-21-2014, 01:34 PM

When I changed my name in 2007, I changed both my first and last name. My first bc I never really liked Deborah - it never looked, sounded, or felt right. I ended up picking Parker bc it sounded gender neutral to me and bc it means "keeper of the park," which was perfect bc I love trees, forests, etc.

I also wanted to change my last name bc even as a kid, when I thought about marriage, I knew I would not take a man's last name bc it felt like ownership to me. I realized then that my current last name was a man's name - my dad's - and that using my mom's maiden name would still be using a man's name - her dad's. So I figured I should just make my own last name and start from scratch.

I struggled for a while in trying to find the right name, but then it hit me that I love wolves and have an affinity for them, so why not Wolf? My name is a little tricky though bc Parker is a common last name, so some people read the name and think my name is Wolf Parker and that I am a man. It was an unfortunate side effect, but not everyone sees it that way - a lot of people love saying the 2 names together as if they are one name. All-in-all, even with some people seeing my new name in writing and thinking: dude, I still love the name and am very happy that I changed it.

Good luck!

Jesse · 03-21-2014, 02:12 PM

I have changed both my first and middle names, and will most likely change my surname after my adopted father passes (long story, that will not be told in this space) from this earth. I will either go with the surname I was given at birth, because it fits my heritage, or I will choose one that fits more with who I am as a person.

As things stand, my surname is a very common German name and I've not an ounce of German blood in me as far as I know. My birth father's side of the family hails from Spain, and I have a good amount of Cherokee blood coursing through my veins as well.

*Anya* · 03-21-2014, 04:57 PM

If my GF and I marry, I will change my last name to hers.

I really like her last name, my current name is my married name which I kept after the divorce because it was my children's last name and my maiden name is my father's name and I would never change my name to his.

In the meantime, I will just keep my last name as it is.

03-21-2014, 02:12 PM	#4
Jesse Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Transguy Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: single Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central West Coast of Florida Posts: 5,204 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,866 Thanked 17,782 Times in 3,940 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I have changed both my first and middle names, and will most likely change my surname after my adopted father passes (long story, that will not be told in this space) from this earth. I will either go with the surname I was given at birth, because it fits my heritage, or I will choose one that fits more with who I am as a person. As things stand, my surname is a very common German name and I've not an ounce of German blood in me as far as I know. My birth father's side of the family hails from Spain, and I have a good amount of Cherokee blood coursing through my veins as well. __________________ “You’re so hard on yourself. Take a moment. Sit back. Marvel at your life: at the grief that softened you, at the heartache that widened you, at the suffering that strengthened you. Despite everything, you still grow. Be proud of this.”

03-21-2014, 04:57 PM	#5
Anya Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Lesbian non-stone femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: Committed to being good to myself Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Coast Posts: 8,258 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 39,306 Thanked 40,445 Times in 7,285 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	If my GF and I marry, I will change my last name to hers. I really like her last name, my current name is my married name which I kept after the divorce because it was my children's last name and my maiden name is my father's name and I would never change my name to his. In the meantime, I will just keep my last name as it is. __________________ ~Anya~ Democracy Dies in Darkness ~Washington Post "...I'm deeply concerned by recently adopted policies which punish children for their parents’ actions ... The thought that any State would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable." UN Human Rights commissioner

03-21-2014, 12:34 PM	#1
Aud Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Fabulous Preferred Pronoun?: Her/She Relationship Status: Divorced Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: USA, Midwest Posts: 77 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 158 Thanked 198 Times in 63 Posts Rep Power: 968509	I considered changing my surname as a young adult (18-19) to my father's surname, as I felt it was rightfully mine & also as some passive-aggressive way to thumb my nose at him. Thankfully, I was too cheap and worked too hard for my money to make this meaningless change. I carry my maternal grandfather's surname, which I'm ok with. It has a rich, interesting history--Yet, it doesn't come with much of a sense of belonging. But as it stands, the only surname I would want is a spouse's. In fact, I think I'd be crushed if they didn't ask me to, or at least offer for me to take on some wonderfully pretentious hyphenated version of both our last names.

03-21-2014, 12:40 PM	#2
imperfect_cupcake Senior Member How Do You Identify?: feminine dolly dyke Preferred Pronoun?: Your Grace Relationship Status: I put my own care first Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In a gauze of mystery Posts: 1,776 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,426 Thanked 9,712 Times in 1,611 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I changed my last name though not legally. since I write and am on line for other things, I go by a different last name. Only my old close friends, work, legal things and my family know my legal name. I actually like it this way. My face book and my pen name are the same, but my legal name stays off the internet. I chose a name according to my birth mother's heritage and the meaning of the name. It's welsh Gaelic for "of the sea" I love the sea. And it sounds good. Also, its rather common so if people google me to stalk me, they are rather shit out of luck LOL.

03-21-2014, 01:34 PM	#3
Parker Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: Butch. Lesbian. Dyke. Woman. Female. Preferred Pronoun?: She, of course! Relationship Status: Content Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Small Town Life Posts: 2,880 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 7,858 Thanked 11,727 Times in 2,429 Posts Rep Power: 0	When I changed my name in 2007, I changed both my first and last name. My first bc I never really liked Deborah - it never looked, sounded, or felt right. I ended up picking Parker bc it sounded gender neutral to me and bc it means "keeper of the park," which was perfect bc I love trees, forests, etc. I also wanted to change my last name bc even as a kid, when I thought about marriage, I knew I would not take a man's last name bc it felt like ownership to me. I realized then that my current last name was a man's name - my dad's - and that using my mom's maiden name would still be using a man's name - her dad's. So I figured I should just make my own last name and start from scratch. I struggled for a while in trying to find the right name, but then it hit me that I love wolves and have an affinity for them, so why not Wolf? My name is a little tricky though bc Parker is a common last name, so some people read the name and think my name is Wolf Parker and that I am a man. It was an unfortunate side effect, but not everyone sees it that way - a lot of people love saying the 2 names together as if they are one name. All-in-all, even with some people seeing my new name in writing and thinking: dude, I still love the name and am very happy that I changed it. Good luck!