should I change my name?

Question

I have always HATED my name (it's Serena as if you couldn't tell by my screen name). I have thought recently about changing it but don't know if it's worth all the trouble. I'd have to change all my records, my driver's license, etc. plus my family would probably always call me Serena. I just hate it so much!!! People are constantly getting it wrong. I have to repeat it because they don't understand it the first time I tell them. I get called Sabrina, Selena, everything but Serena. What the heck was my mother thinking? PLEASE please do not name your children unusual unique names. Trust me they will hate it. Whatever happened to nice normal sounding names. How come everyone wants to name their babies something so off the wall and different? It's soooo hard living with a different name. You have to spell it for people over the phone all the time, it sucks!!! Should I change my name?

Answer 1

First off, your name means calm, tranquil, peaceful. Your aggitation isn't so much at your name it is at the fact that other people can't pronounce it right the first time. So instead of just saying your name Serena, say "my name is Serena you know like calm and peaceful Serenea." It will help other people not only pronounce your name right, but they will definately remember your name. It is a gorgeous and unique name. It makes you who you are and maybe you aren't liking who you are right now so you want a change. Everyone feels that way once in a while.

Answer 2

I happen to like your name. I have a very common name and I still end up having to spell it to people. You are right, the people that you have relationships with will always call you Serena. If you dislike it that much and decide to change it, they will have no choice but to call you by your new name especially if you don't respond to Serena anymore. You are also right about telling people not to choose unusual names. I named my daughter Kristyna, not an unusual name I know but she constantly reminds me of what a pain it is having to correct the spelling of it all the time and why couldn't I have spelt it the "normal" way! By the way, she's 10. So if changing your name is something you really want to do, then go for it. Everyone will get used to your new name eventually.

Answer 3

I disagree with you. I think Serena is a beautiful name. My name is Leila and people always pronounce it wrong. It's pronounced Layla (not Leela or Lila), and people who can pronounce it spell it wrong. I get asked 50 times a day if I was named after the Eric Clapton song, but my name is Persian like my mom. She always wanted a girl named Leila, and I get told all the time that my name is beautiful. I would rather have a unique name than be another Mary or Katie (no offense ladies). Keep in mind just about EVERYONE has to spell their names over the phone. The person at the other end has to make sure they have it right! Be proud of your individuality.

Answer 4

That's weird, if you had said "Serena" to me over the phone I would have know how to spell it. I've seen that name before it's not that unusual. And I think it is a beautiful name. What really sux is haveing a common name that's spelled differently, I'm always correcting people too ("C-a-i-t-y not K-a-t-i-e."). But anyway, I know where you are coming from, and if you *really* want to change it and it annoys you *that* badly then I would.

Answer 5

People may say WHAT'S IN A NAME... but it sure IS something... I guess you are old enough if you have thought seriously about this name-changing business.
Serena is a wonderful name, give serenity to people.
I also kept wishing that I had a rare name, on the other hand my brother has a rare name and he doesn't like it very much. But I realize that each name has some meaning to the one who has it and to others who use it to call us. We are identified by the name we are given.
Even though my name is very very common, the way it is spelled is different and I too have trouble correcting it, so it doesn't matter, coz when you correct others about your name you remain in their memory a little longer...
GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE, THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE...

Answer 6

Personally I love your name, but if you hate it --change it! It will end up costing you up to $300. Start by getting some forms online. We changed our daughters name after naming her after someone in the family. I really don't think that Serena is such an off the wall name but you should do what makes you happy! :0)

Answer 7

Serena is not unique but rather common. Maybe you should take extra effort when pronouncing your name. Could be some are hard of hearing.
I have a cousin with the very common name of Barbara, people mistakenly hear everything from Martha, Margaret, Marva.... I can't believe it, I clearly hear exactly what she says but other don't.
Your new name may present the same problem. But if you really hate your name, change it.

Answer 8

Aww I love your name. Would you rather have my name, Barbara? I'm 21 years old. Now I hate my name. I wouldn't change it though, that's who you are. Everyone you've ever come in contact with knows you by that, and will probably never change. Not to mention, the people you don't see on a daily basis, how are you going to tell them? I know I can go years without seeing someone. Parents of my friends from elementary school still call me Barbie and I haven't gone by that since kindergarten. I used to tell them over and over again that it was Barbara, but they still continue to call me Barbie.

Stick with your name. Be proud. I don't know why you don't like it. However, if you were to change it, what would you choose?

Answer 9

I can sympathize with you. I changed my name years ago. Here is what I did.
According to law you can use any name you wish so long as you are not using it with attempt to defraud.
I use my middlename and it is on drivers' license, credit cards, professional license etc. without legally changing it in court.

Everything but my birth certificate but I will remedy that soon. All you need to do is petition in Family Court for that .

Your right about your family calling you by your present name . It took me years and my mom still forgets sometimes. I "cured" my family by not answering them if they called me by my birth name or I would say " who's that".

I agree with you about people naming their kids unusual names or spellings. I stress that they should really try out those names in the public before naming their babies.

Answer 10

It's funny because I think Serena is a pretty name:)

I have a common name-- Marcia (Marsha). The name is okay & I would keep it because it's what my mother chose for me. However, I think it would've been great to have a unique name.

By the way, I have to constantly correct people & spell my name for people. It doesn't bother me @ all. I actually love the spelling of my name-- so glad my mother didn't choose to spell it "Marsha".

I don't think you should change your name but it's really up to you:)