Changing name online

[Alexei]

My given name is Alex, and there is a character in a video game named Alexei Stukov. I liked the name so I adopted Alexei as the name I use on the internet and when playing games. That was all before I came out as transgendered, and recently (a few days ago) I finally started asking people to call me Erica.

Unfortunately that leaves Alexei as a reminder of my old name. I can't easily change it because I already have lots of accounts all over the place with that name that other people know about. Most systems don't allow a username to be changed easily, so that means I would have to make a new account. The problem there is that making a new account loses any history gained by the old one. Anyone have any ideas? I'm afraid I may be stuck with the obvious solution; meticulously make new accounts and let everyone that knows each of the old ones about the new ones. At least gmail allows for forwarding and send-as.

[Dante]

It is hard to change usernames on most sites, and I'm afraid I don't have many tips to offer on how to fix it. You'll probably just have to make new accounts for everything (I had to do this for YouTube; that was a pain!).

However, it's not as hard as it seems (unless it's YouTube or something similar, because then you have to re-favorite things, and establish your connections with friends again, etc.). You'll get through it pretty fast. Deleting old accounts can be hard, though. Sometimes you have to email the site owners/admin to get them to delete your account, and sometimes they won't do it (like Gaia forums, for example).

Also keep in mind that, at least on these forums, you can change your displayed name at any time.

[sarahm]

In Australia, you receive a change of name certificate which looks like your birth certificate. If you receive documentation to state a legal name change, you could use these with your online services, it is a legal document and they company legally needs to update their files, plus you are doing the right thing by them by telling them your circumstances have changed.

[spacial]

I really like the name Erica.

I will try to remember that when I next respond to you here.