I was wondering how many trans people change both their first name and surname compared to just changing the first name. I've heard of people changing their surname to protect themselves from being easily outed once they are living a more stealth lifestyle.
Would be interesting to get opinions!
Emily x
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When I transitioned, I changed my entire name. The only thing that remained the same was my first and last initials.
As I was able to choose my own destiny, changing my name to suit was only an extension. When I hear or see my old name, or if I have to bring it up, for a second I wonder who it is, I am that used to the new me.
A new me, a new name.
Love,
Clare.
Had my family not been accepting, I was planning to change my last name as well. Had one picked out and everything. But they had no issues with me being trans or transitioning, so I decided to keep it the same.
My dad's only worry was that I'd change my last name as well, and I may if I marry my boyfriend or another guy, but I kept it for now. I think that living stealth is really hard anyway, but if that's your goal, then maybe go for both. Personally, I plan on being out and proud for the rest of my life and getting involved in activism any times I face discrimination.
Hugs,
- Katie
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I changed my entire name. I had nothing against my former surname, but it was impossible for most Americans to pronounce correctly, and it was almost invariably misspelled over the phone, even if I spelled it out "F as in Frank, D as in David..." Most of the time I don't have to spell my new name at all. It's wonderful.
It's true that it would have been much harder if my father were still alive.
Thanks for the feedback! It's a very personal thing to decide really. I'm not wanting to live totally stealth but I'm also keen on establishing myself as a new person. I don't know, maybe it's just because I've found a new name which I really love!
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I am glad to find this topic because I was considering changing the last name I hated for a long time but unfortunately I missed the chance of having it done for free when I got my U.S. citizenship because I stupidly listened to my parents. So I was wondering from those who did it, how much it costs? Does it depend on the state?
Quote from: trumi on May 27, 2016, 04:16:07 PM
I am glad to find this topic because I was considering changing the last name I hated for a long time but unfortunately I missed the chance of having it done for free when I got my U.S. citizenship because I stupidly listened to my parents. So I was wondering from those who did it, how much it costs? Does it depend on the state?
Totally depends on the state. To change your name where I live, it was $45 plus $2 for each copy of the court order that you wanted (regardless of whether you were just changing your first name, last name, or your whole name). I've heard it can cost several hundred dollars in a lot of states. It seems like it is more expensive in the states that want you to publish it.
I'm in the middle of changing my whole name now. It's $180 in Massachusetts, plus whatever the publication fee is going to be. I'm waiting for the court's instructions on that to arrive in the mail. I'm doing it as a fresh start/moving forward thing, I'm not worried about being outed, I live openly, out, and proud.
Hugs, Devlyn
I'm technically changing the surname, but really I'm just going back to the ancestral clan name.
I only changed my first and middle names. I kept my surname but then again I have a wife and 2 kids.
I am changing first and middle names. The last name, well I want to still be part of my family. I want the name connection. It is $165 plus publication fee in Maryland. Of course, there is also the hassle of changing social sec., bank, etc.
I can't wait til it is final and legal.
Moni
I was going to keep my last name and make my dads last name my middle name, to should him a little respect. But since my moms side is the side that highly disapproves of my gender identity and such I changed my first name to Christian and last name to my dads. It's kinda cool. Also royalty lol. But middle name is the same because I have no imagination and that's just too much. I like the new name though.
Only downside is my moms side is going crazy but that's what they get for telling me all types of negative stuff when I came out first.
Thank you for the info guys. I live in PA and all I want to change is my last name because I can't stand it.
LatrelLHK, I think that's a perfect reason to change your last name and the effect it gave to your mom's side.
I've 100% decided on changing my surname now but mainly for a fresh start and because I love the name. I'm actually taking my mothers maiden name!
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I changed the whole thing. Something Italian for my surname, as my mothers side of the family are from there and something Latin for the first name - it just fit.
I was not going to carry my fathers surname. He was a bullying violent alcoholic wife and child beater. A good reason to change.
I am changing my entire name so that I can completely separate myself from the past. I am still at the beginning of my journey (5 months) and part of the older generation and a sudden change would cause a great deal of problems, so I'm going to have to run with two identities for a couple of years before I become Holly Fox
It's such a great name...Holly Fox!
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Holly Fox? That's awesome, no lie!
Now I'd be that friend that will be waiting for the day to scream "HOLY FOX" at you.
I'm changing my name as a whole. My initials will become KAW.
Basically going to be taking my mothers maiden name, as well as a family name for my middle name in which all the girls on my moms side of the family has.
Kate <3
Always remember to smile your face
Changing my full name. I had really thought about it for awhile. I have a hyphenated surname, a combination of both of my parents surnames. However I was not raised by my parents in any way, shape, or form. So really if I were going to stick with a family surname I would choose my paternal grandparents however with the new name I chose it would be Serena Williams... and as an aspiring actor there's already a Serena Williams that exists. So I said screw the whole darn thing and opted for the surname Piper. Completely unrelated to my roots and I find it oddly refreshing in that knowing.
Changed my full name. Probably could've picked better now, but hey, that's life. I usually shorten my first name as got bored of trying to explain "it's Latin" to people. And joke my surname sounds "like a pasta", and thank my mothers Italian side for it all.
Back on topic, I changed the whole thing because my father was a joyless, violent alcoholic who nearly killed my mother and myself. And took great joy in smacking 7 bales out of me as and when he liked. In recent times, he's hired several PI agencies to track down and harass my mother, her parents and my sister.
He has yet to find me. Therefore I am winning.
I wanted to keep, my surname, but if my family had been against me transitioning and had ostracised me, then I would most likely have changed it. But luckily they accepted me and supported me, so I happily kept my family name.
The majority of trans people I have met keep their last name so at least from my perspective most only change their first name.
I felt that both names needed to change to complete my transition, my mother was fine with the last name. My first name has been with me for 45 years while I pondered over my last name. I teach self-defense where sometimes there is pain involved, one of the assistant instructors said, she is the giver of pain, several students concurred and this I elected to use Payne for my last name.
I've really struggled with this question too. My Sir name (and heritage) was crammed down my throat ever since I was little. That made me hate it and like it at the same time. Since then I decided to keep it for now but I might change it if I get married.