Should people be allowed to change their name when they become an adult?
Of course anyone can go through the appropriate legal channels and change their name for any reason, but this can be a long and arduous process. Sometimes it seems like names are more representative of a person’s parents than the individual themselves. At a certain age, should people be given the opportunity to just change their name without going through such a tiring legal process?
Answers ( 1 )
A cousin of mine married a Thai woman, and their tradition was to give the younger child two names at birth, one name for official legal records, and one that wasn't a very pretty name, so that the darker spirits wouldn't harm the child. One is a legal name, the other a nickname. And the legal name would be used for official documents and contracts, and may be used when the child becomes an adult. The tradition seems rather poignant, something I rather liked the idea of, that a child could remain somewhat protected. And when they came of age, the beautiful name could be used if they wished.
Women have historically changed their names through marriage, something I embraced growing up, but no longer feel it is appropriate. All that's required is proof of marriage and poof, you're a new person.
I've changed my own name, had it legally changed, just a simple change really, simplifying the name from my ex-husband's rather challenging-to-pronounce European family name. And because of family circumstances, I chose not to go back to my family name, my maiden name, I was no longer that person, didn't want to be that person. So I certainly understand the desire to change names as an adult. Why even as a child I'd wanted to change my name when people started shortening my name to Kathy, from Kathleen - I hated that name, still do today.
So, yes, you are right. A child's name is often the product of a parent's desire, and sometimes can be very challenging for a child, and adult. So, yes, people should be allowed to change their name. Our names are the most important part of our sense of being - if we hear being called a name that grates with our senses, it makes no sense to have to endure that for life, so yes, no matter the process, we should be allowed to change our names.
But, you ask, "should we be allowed." In the US every state will allow you to change your name, though each state has a difference process. We don't need anyone's permission, but to apply for the change. And "allow" suggests that maybe someone in the family might be against it - well, it's not their right to do so. We can make our own decisions.
And just a note, California is the easiest state for the process of name change.