I am 44, single, and my father has passed. I will not have children. I have quit my job to become a writer, so there is no career impact. I just feel funny and embarrassed that my friends & acquaintances will think this is stupid. And how do I choose a new name if I decide to do this. What do you think?
2006-10-01 04:06:30 · 25 answers · asked by john 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
Change your name. Don't worry about what your friends think. This name you don't like; you didn't choose it, so pick something you like better. Maybe you could look through the phone book and see if you there any last name you like. Contrary to what other people have said, names cannot define you. Names are simply assigned to people for lack of a better word. You are assigned a certain surname regardless of what you think about it. It is an attempt for other to define you, when you should be doing that for yourself.
2006-10-02 06:41:21 · answer #1 · answered by Edward 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Writers use pen names all the time. If you want to write under an assumed name, that's normal. I do think, however, that if you change your last name legally you would be doing a great disservice to your parents and the many generations of your ancestors who wore that name. What you would be saying is that they have no value in your eyes simply because you can't get over a high school type hatred of your last name. I'll guess that someone or a group of someones made fun of your last name, maybe it sounds like a body part, or has an obscene connotation (if I'm wrong, so be it) and that's what bothers you. You are totally within your rights to change your name, but I'd recommend against it. Writer under a nom de plume, but keep the glory of your ancestors in the real world.
2006-10-01 11:20:53 · answer #2 · answered by Ice 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to - go ahead! It might impact your credit rating and make a few hassles with the DMV...
Your friends probably will think it's stupid - you just have to decide which you care about more - changing your name or what your friends think. By the way - your friends will only care for a short while - then they'll get used ot it.
Regarding choosing a new name - just find one you like- that seems to be your main issue - not liking your name. Look around - make a list - rank them - choose your favorite.
2006-10-01 13:05:22 · answer #3 · answered by ravenwood4455 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're 44, you should be able to make this decision. Did you wait to avoid hurting your father? If you are willing to put up with all the problems changing your name with cause, do it. Just remember that it will affect every aspect of your daily life. A name change is much more than simple paperwork. For example when my mother retook her maiden name, she couldn't change the name on her property deeds without paying for a deed transfer. You will probably have to carry copies of both your old and new ID. If you are trying to escape your past, you can't, but if you think a new name will make you happy . . . good luck.
2006-10-02 11:27:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A few of my guy friends have changed their last names and everyone always thinks it is extremely weird and wrong (and they always call them by their former name anyway). Many writers use a pen name to write. Why not just chose a pen name you like and keep your old name in real life. It will avoid the hassles with credit reports, IRS, bills, subscriptions, banking etc, that you will have to go through if you change your name leagally. Plus everyone will think you are trying to hide something or did something wrong if you change it. Use a good pen name like Horton Worthington Wright III or something. Good luck on your writing career!
2006-10-01 11:11:05 · answer #5 · answered by cadodevine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a while i couldn't stand my first name which is Mihaela (Romanian) because it was so uncommon and everyone had difficulty saying it. Now, I just look back and i thank my parents for not allowing me to change it as it would've been a mistake. I like my name--it's a part of who i am... It is really up to you to decide if you want to change your last name. It is not silly at all and if that's what you want to do then do it. I wish you the best.
2006-10-01 15:08:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a bit of research on the name and see if you can find other derivatives of it. I say to go with what you are happy with. Remember though it is not the name behind the person but the person behind the name that counts.
2006-10-01 11:09:45 · answer #7 · answered by The_answer_person 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm a big fan of the pen name. i think you are too established with the name you have so you should not change it, but use a pen name with your writing career.
as for choosing a pen name, choose something you think sounds good and you won't get tired of using.
don't change your name officially it's a little late for that.
2006-10-03 13:59:24 · answer #8 · answered by sangreal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should do what you feel is neccesary. I got married & now divorced. So of course I want to change back to my maiden name but I just won't do it until my son gets older. Like out of school so there are no questions from teachers or anything like that
2006-10-02 14:18:06 · answer #9 · answered by bdbarbie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a friend change her name cause the vibration of her name was not condusive to her personality. I respected her wishes to call her by her new first name. Now women, change their names more fequently than men so I understand you feeling uneasy however, if your name is making you feel unhappy then you can change it.
2006-10-01 11:12:51 · answer #10 · answered by Shanieka 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋