Why Change Your Name?

There are many and varied reasons why a person would want to change his or her name, some of the most common ones are:.

• You may have always disliked your name.
• You may want to change the spelling of your name, add or remove a name or rearrange your existing names.
• Formalising legally a name which you have previously been ‘known as’.
• Legally formalising a nickname.
• Protect against identity fraud following data losses by government departments, financial institutions and online business.
• After divorce a woman may wish to change her name back to her maiden name.
• Couples living together outside of marriage or a civil partnership may wish to use the same surname.
• Couples may choose to have a double-barrelled surname after marriage.
• A woman may wish to use her maiden name as a middle name.
• When a young person reaches 16 and wishes to adopt the name of their step-parents, adoptive parents or guardians.
• Disowning a family name following a dispute.
• One or both partners in a gay or lesbian relationship may wish to share the same surname.
• A person changing their name after adopting a new religion.
• Anglicisation of your name after becoming a UK resident.
• When a person changes their gender.
• To replace a name given by their parents, the most famous example is Elton John, who changed from his birth name of Reginald Kenneth Dwight.
• To replace a birth name with a more frivolous name, Screaming Lord Sutch was born David Edward Sutch, Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian La Piere and Mr T was born Laurence Turead.
• To dissociate themselves from a famous or infamous person or criminal who happens to have the same name.
• To identify with a famous or infamous person, your birth name may be Simon Jones but you now want to be known as Simon Cowell.
• Members of Equity and The Performing Arts regularly adopt their professional & stage names as they grow in popularity.

Far from being definitive this list only touches on a few of the many reasons why people choose a legal change of name. Your name change journey is only a few clicks away.

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