Change Of Name

[Barsel]

Have you ever changed your first name or perhaps the name of one of your children after they've been registered and for what reason? I recently found out one of my neighbours, Mary, is actually called Eva. When I was doing my family tree some years ago, there were so many who had changed their name, I couldn't believe it. Made it really difficult to find some people.

[SparklyKid]

I have two first names but only use my middle name.

been a nuisance for years.

[jackthehat]

Loads of my great aunts/uncles etc. were known by either their middle names or some other name of their choosing.

You're right, it made compiling a family tree a real pain in the proverbial. :o)

[Vagus]

The mother of one of my daughters in law changed her name about ten years ago, she’s 75. I don’t know what her previous name was but she’s now Angelica.
I have no idea why she changed it and actually find it a bit odd. Her life, her choice though.

[dannyk13]

When I was in the army everyone called me Danny, a common thing in the armed forces and after answering to that name for several years it has just stuck, even with my family.

[Sqad]

I changed my surname when I was 16years old,no legal documentation and was known by my new name forthebest part of my life.

[Mozz71]

//I have two first names but only use my middle name//

Your middle name is Sparklykid? How unusual! ;-)

[Vagus]

I’ve just remembered...
When researching the family tree, a relative came upon a female relative called Happy. They were intrigued, turns out her full name was Karenhappit (I’m not sure about the spelling, it’s apparently a biblical name).

[Barsel]

I wondered if some were using a middle name, but that wasn't always the case. Wish my Uncle hadn't changed his name from Noah to Dick, it used to make me giggle when I said it! One of my Aunt's changed from Ellen to Nellie, and a cousin from Fred to Colin. I wonder if it might have been because of the meaning of the name?

[jackthehat]

Vagus - My D-i-L has a Kerenhappuch in her family tree.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

My teacher in junior school started calling me by my middle name because there were five girls with the same common first name. When he sent my paperwork through to the grammar school it seems he had totally forgotten about my first name and just sent the name he used. At home I had one name and at school, new friends and then Mr BD only knew me by my second name.

[jackthehat]

Often it was because of cousins with the same names (which were given in tribute to grandparents, etc.), but maily I think it was to annoy their descendents who might want to go looking for them in years to come.... LoL

[Barsel]

Sqad, that's interesting. I always thought it had to be done legally to change your surname? Your name on your birth certificate will be different then? How does that work when you have to prove who you are? I've been asked on more than one occasion to send my birth certificate or a copy.

[anneasquith]

I knew some ‘ friends’ who had an auntie Mary, a wee auntie Mary, and a big auntie Mary .

[barry1010]

My father was always known by his middle name, even as a baby. It's very common when a child is given the same first name as a parent.

A lot of first names have 'nicknames' for want of a better term. Peggy and Meg is nearly always officially Margaret. Dolly or Dot is Dorothy. Minnie is Mary. Some are really obscure and there seems to be no link between the two.
It is not unusual for a gravestone to name the deceased as Peggy and the birth certificate to be Margaret.

I believe there is a gravestone somewhere for Knobby Clarke. No mention of his official first name, at one time all male Clarke's had the nickname Knobby and I doubt his parents named him Knobby. White's were Chalkie :D

[Sqad]

Barrel.....it was a longtime ago and the name on my birth certificate is not the same as I have used all my life.
I have had an education, applied for posts,taken out Pension Plans and I have never,tomy recollection ever been asked for my birth certificate .I have taken out a passport,travelled to the majority of countries in the world and my new name was never challenged.

[Barsel]

Sqad, I see you prefer Barrel to Barsel.:-) I think you should make an appointment at Specsavers. Lol.

[barry1010]

Barsel, I believe Sqad is very old and it was much easier to open bank accounts, rent a house and everything else without official id 60 years ago.
You can still legally change your name without a solicitor and it has to be accepted by the authorities. The key is that you will only be known by your new name, not swap and change between the two for fraudulent reasons. You just need a piece of paper signed and dated by you and two witnesses that states:

I am abandoning my previous name.
I will use my new name at all times.
I require all persons to address me by my new name only.

Lots of people use two names - authors can use pen names and women in particular sometimes keep their maiden name for work purposes but adopt their husband's name for their personal life. Actors often have an official stage name.

[Bazile]

sqad
That's an unusual thing for a 16 year old to have done

Was it that you just didn't like your birth name ?

[iluvmargie]

I changed my surname many years ago too and have never had any problems, just informed everyone verbally - don't think I'm as old as sqad!

[Sqad]

Barsel.....lol lol oddly enough I was with Spectators yesterday and my spectacles arrive in 2 weeks lol.
BARRY 1010.....spot on.