Christenings, great but should the child be allowed to change name at later date ?

Question

Well, you must admit, there are some awful names out there, !

Answer 1

Anyone is allowed to change their name by deed poll. Nowadays some people think of some ridiculous names!!

Answer 2

a persons name is what is written on their birth certificate & then registered with the appropriate authorities in your local area.
NOT everyone is christened so that has no bearing on your name.
once you are legally an adult you can change your name by deed poll; or if female - by marriage - although woman can choose to keep the surname they were born with
do have to agree on the awful names though; parents also need to give some thought to the combination of initials

Answer 3

In Scotland:
Changing a child’s name

Changing the name of a child (under the age of 16) can only be done by someone who has parental responsibilities for the child. This will usually be the child’s parents if the parents are married, or the child’s mother if the parents are not married. An unmarried father can only change a child’s name if he has acquired parental responsibilities towards the child. He may have acquired these rights if, from 4 May 2006, he registered his child's birth jointly with the child's mother. Alternatively he can acquire parental resonsibilities and rights through a parental responsibilities agreement or a court order.

If more than one person has parental responsibilities for the child, they must all agree to the change of name.

A mother who is under sixteen herself can change her child’s name.

A person who gave the child’s forename in baptism also has the right to apply to change the child’s name. This usually only happens in cases where the parents have given the name initially and then decide to change it when the child is baptised.

England: Changing a child’s name

A child’s name can be changed at any time, provided it is not to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure which must be followed in order to change a child’s name, providing all the people who need to give their consent have done so. The parent simply starts using the new name. A child’s forename or surname can be changed, names can be added or rearranged.

Although there is no legal way to change a child’s name, you may need evidence that a child’s name has been changed (see under heading Evidence of change of name). However, the details on a child’s birth certificate cannot be changed, except in limited circumstances.

Changing details on a child’s birth certificate can be complicated. If you wish to do so you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.

If you are a child or young person under 16 your consent does not have to be given for your name to be changed. However, if you object to your name being changed you can apply for a court order to prevent the change, provided the court is satisfied that you have sufficient understanding of what is involved.

As a child or young person under 16 you cannot change your surname without your parent’s consent.

Once a child’s name has been changed it can be used for all purposes, such as starting school and registering with a GP. However, evidence may be required (see under heading Evidence of change of name).

Who can change a child’s name

Where only one parent or person has parental responsibility for a child, that person can lawfully change the child’s name. Where two or more people have parental responsibility for the child, one of them can lawfully change the child’s name if all the others agree. Such agreements do not need to be in writing.

If there is a residence order in force, a child’s name cannot be changed without the written agreement of anyone else who has parental responsibility or the permission of the court.


For more information about parental responsibility, see Children at the end of your relationship in Ending a relationship when you're living together or Children at the end of a civil partnership in Ending a civil partnership.

For Wales or NI, see:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/n6w/index/family_parent/family/change_of_name.htm

Answer 4

Of course they should be allowed to change their name.

Anyone can change their name by deed poll - it's more common than you'd think.

Answer 5

I think the chilld should live with the name the parents picked for it, how ever unique or strange!!

Answer 6

Well, when they are 18 they can do whatever they want...otherwise don't name the kids something he/she will hate!

Answer 7

Of course they should. Parents are so cruel with names sometimes....

Answer 8

babies should not be christened,that way they can make the decision for themselves when they are older