How can I adopt an informal suffix or title?

Question

I want to add a post-nomial title to my name, just for fun. I've found various sources about the title "Esq.", and they seem to insinuate that only attourneys use it or fully-grown males. What constitutes a fully-grown male? And is there any "useless" or "meaningless" titles that I can add to the end of my name to make myself look more important?

I realize there are ways to formally adopt a legitimate title - I am asking are there any meaningless titles that I can just start using without any legal documentation?

Answer 1

technically, "esq" is not a legal title. You can adopt it if you wish.

Except you'll pass for a bozo.

In Britain, it used to belong to the landed gentry and younger sons of the nobility who could claim no higher title . You still had to be 21, in full possession of your civil and political rights, and living in your own, separate residence to rate it. If somebody adopted it who did not belong, polite society would soon be aware of it, and snub them major way, though I'm not sure abuse of it was ever actionable. Of course, it stopped being fully distinct from the more common "mister" some 125 years ago.

In the US, it has no legal value, and since there is no nobility or gentry to begin with, there are no sources for anyone to be an "esquire", so unless you want to impress the rubes who are likely to mock you for a toff, all you'll accomplish is being ridiculous.

Of course, there are a few states where use of the title might be regarded as impersonation of a licenced attorney, plus the fact that, the title being an honorific, no self respecting person would use it in referrence to himself.

Answer 2

If you are asking this question- I don't think you will be putting one over on anyone... that is making yourself sound more important. Those delineations such as "Esq." aren't meaningless and designate those who have earned something worth recognition. If you put Esq. behind your name you are holding yourself out to be an attorney- which you aren't. Just because you looked it up and it has two meanings doesn't mean that the connotation is different. But... if you really want one easily you can go on line and pay like $30 and become an ordained minister. You could add "Rev." to your name.

Answer 3

You could pass the bar exam...theoretically speaking.