Say you named your son Theodore, it's on his birth certificate, but everyone calls him?

Question

Theo.....he's 9 years old...loves the name Theo but HATES Theodore. His school policy is that whatever name is on his birth certificate goes on/in everything...yearbook, book, etc. We want to change his birth cert to say just Theo. Besides, he was named exactly after his dad...he is the third. His dad always had problems with creditors because he was named after his dad....and anything his dad did reflected on him. I want to avoid this problem as well. Is this a hard process?

Answer 1

It seems the issues inherent to making him a third would have been considered and come to terms with nine odd years ago, so that certainly shouldn't be reason to make a legal change this late in the game.

Likewise, regardless of how a child feels after living less than a decade, it's just as likely that he'll appreciate the formal Theodore, rather than pet form Theo, a few years down the road when sending out his resume, applying to colleges or even simply opting for a more mature option in his teen years. You never know where life might take you, and it never hurts to have the option. By making the legal change, he'd no longer have that choice. And if he does want it, he'd have to AGAIN choose to go through the hassle of having it legally amended. And really, we shouldn't simply change our identities as often as we would our clothing, if that makes sense.

Regardless of which form he prefers at this point, Theodore is still part of his identity -- and one he may one day appreciate having. Nicknames are exactly that -- informal versions meant to be used by family and friends and to allow us to best identify with our names. Betsy, for example, might feel Elizabeth is too formal, and other possible pet forms (such as Libby) might not seem a good fit. But that doesn't mean she'll ALWAYS want to be known as Betsy. She might appreciate being married as "Elizabeth Jane Smith" Rather than "Betsy Smith," or simply having the option when it comes to other formal occasions.

So obviously let him use Theo 99% of the time, but who cares if his yearbook says Theodore? At least he has the choice.

Answer 2

A lot of people would prefer to have their nicknames shown but changing his name would not teach a valuable lesson on being grateful for the name he was picked to carry on.


Besides the name obviously has a special background and everyone knows that Theo is a nn for Theodore anyway.

Answer 3

My cousin is a 3rd too, and he has a real problem with creditors, banks, ect. confusing him with his dad or grandpa. He's having a hard time getting a house loan because of this. As for the actual name chaniging- No, it's not a hard process, If I remeber right it only took about 2 days to have everything done and official. (I had my last name changed in the eigth grade.) Just go to your local courthouse and tell them what you want to have done and they will show you what you need to do. it's just a simple form, lots of copies and signatures, but nothing major.

Answer 4

Well the school policy is silly. When I went to school all forms had a space for "preferred name" and that is what went in the yearbook. I think report cards came in your legal name, but who really cares?

As for creditors they are supposed to use SSN numbers and failing that birth dates. There are tonnes of John Smiths in the world and they usually don't have to share one credit report.

Answer 5

the only way you will get rid of him from the delivery certificates is that in case you have evidence to teach he isn't the daddy (DNA) Seeing as you're saying "additionally i could desire to get a court order to renounce him seeing his father" i'm assuming that's no longer obtainable as he's your son's organic and organic father. you could purely supply up him seeing his son if he provides a danger to him. As a father he has a precise to real looking get right of entry to and this could't be prevented purely because of the fact which you 2 don't get alongside. real looking get right of entry to could nicely be agreed between the two one in each of you or in a court if the desire arises, and It would not require an in one day stay together with his father. It additionally works any incorrect way, you're no longer a foul mom because of the fact which you're no longer paying for him clothier equipment so no one can take your son away for that. good success

Answer 6

I would leave it because he may change his mind when he gets older. I HATED my name growing up as no one could pernounce it properly or spell it correctly....but now I actually like my name. You named Theodore for a very special reason and to change it now belittles that reason. I would tell him that if he wants to change it he can when he turns 18...that gives him plenty of time to think about it and to grow and mature...who knows he may find that as he gets bigger he is more of a Theodore then a Theo?

Answer 7

Don't bother changing it, because when he's older he'll appreciate having something formal to use on official documents and job applications. Having a nickname as a first name can cause complications with those things just as easily as being a III or Junior can.

Answer 8

If you knew of all the potential problems with creditors and such... why did you name him that anyway????

Answer 9

it can't be too hard.
my mom changed my last name when i was younger, how much harder can it be to change a first name?

Answer 10

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/changename/changenameFULL.html

and

http://www.namechangelaw.com/

or go to your city hall and ask them--i'm sure they will help and it won't be that hard, because it isn't once you get married