This is something we don’t have a say in, but can change if we wish. And now more people are doing so, they are changing their name by deed poll.
According to the latest figures, between 30,000 and 50,000 people a year are officially changing their names, and it costs less than £40 to do so. In 1996, the figure was only 270.
My friend’s sister changed her name by deed poll from Tracey to Helen Tiger Lily. Have you thought about changing your name? If so, what would it be? Do you judge a person by their name?
I guess I am happy with my name. There were no other Ellees around at one time, now it has become very popular.
It is an interesting statistic. I wonder why these people are changing their names. I did know a chap once who changed his name, basicaly because he did not like his family. Fair enough.
Would I change mine? No, it has lots of family history associated with it.
My mother’s name is Lelouda Tatiana and my father was Wilfred William, much less exotic sounding. I wonder why names suddenly go out of fashion and others last for centuries.
I changed my surname a few years ago because I wanted my mother’s family name. I wouldn’t change my first name though.
I know this isn’t really the point, but I’ve changed my blog name a few months ago (and the title, and the template a million more times!). It was to mark a new phase of my life, that sort of thing. I’d discussed it with another blogger, and we were saying that was the beauty of the Internet, being able to change identities and stuff. I think first name changing is more of a big thing than last name changing because it is such a major part of one’s identity, moe than we think.
David Beckham?
If I changed my name to Rockefeller or Pritzker do you suppose I could get into a trust fund?
I changed my first name when I was a teenager but never got round to officially changing it – so I’m still one thing on official documents and known by all and sundry as something esle – I suppose i really should get it legally changed
I was fortunate in that my parents gave me 3 first names (been PC here – not christian names anymore) so I have a few options…
Well, I’ve Italianised my first name but it only involves a change of one letter. My second name [and it’s not “Limoncello” – I wish it was!] is an unusual one that stands out in Britain and so I was always the first one to be asked a question at school and so on. It’s so difficult to be inconspicuous when you have such a name! I always hoped I’d get married to a Smith, Jones or Davies or something but it wasn’t to be. I wouldn’t change my surname now, but I if I were younger and in Britain I would think about it.
Well 50,000 people paying £40 means somebody is getting 2 million a year for a bit of paper-work! My first and middles names have alternated for three generations, no wish to change them!
I don’t think they should be changed. James is connected with my father and Higham with my mother’s family as well as being a surname. I think they would look [down from up there] somewhat askance at any change.
I thought “Sir” or “Lord” would be a help in booking restaurants? No ?
You have an unusual and distinctive name. The only ones who really ought to change their name are those given an awful one by their parents, such as Zowie or Moon Unit
Ellee is a lovely name. I agree with Jean-Luc Picard though I can understand most those people who are called weird names changing them. My own name is a bit like an old jumper- I’m not sure what I would feel like with a different one- its not a matter of liking or not liking it, it just fits.
Gracchi, I’m intrigued to know what you name is, an “old jumper” you say. Maybe one day we will meet up in Cambridge and I will find out.
Incidentally, you cannot change your name by deed poll if:
1. It is impossible to pronounce.
2. It includes numbers or symbols or punctuation marks.
3. It is considered vulgar, offensive or blasphemous.
4. It implies you have had an unmerited honour like Lord, Lady, Sir, etc.
5. It does not include at least one forename and one surname.
I like old jumpers!