Reasons for Changing Your Name
- People change their names for many reasons.name hand image by drawos from Fotolia.com
Parents spend hours agonizing over choosing the perfect, most unique, special and original names for their children, yet sometimes these names just don't fit. Luckily, anyone over the age of 18 may legally change her first or last name, provided that it is for a legal reason and not as a means to commit illegal activities. Parents may also change the first and last names of their minor children. - Many women choose to change their last name after marriage, although many men now take their wives' last names, as well.
- If a marriage dissolves, the divorcee may choose to change her last name back to her maiden name. This could be for personal preference or as a way to cut ties with the former spouse.
- Some parents choose to change a child's name after adoption. This may be to give the child a fresh start or to signify the child's new life. Parents who do not change their adopted children's first names usually still change their last names to match the rest of the family's.
- If you immigrate to America from another country, you may choose to change your name to a more regionally popular one, especially if your birth name is difficult for Americans to pronounce. Likewise, Americans immigrating to other countries may choose to take a name that is more culturally appropriate.
- Some people change their name simply because they dislike it. If a child was made fun of growing up, he may choose to change his name. If a person's name is difficult to pronounce or unusual, she may decide to switch to a more common name.
- Many transgender people choose to take a new name more suitable for their new gender.
