I just got the name change form and think I am filing it Monday. Anyway, I know what my first and middle name will be, but am having a thought about changing my last name, but just by removing one letter. Seems like with the letter in there it reminds me more of my old name. Anybody have these sorts of thoughts or done something like this? If you have changed your last name does this make it harder? I guess ciswoman change their last names all the time.


--Jay

I was going to change my last name slightly as well, just in case people made the connection (my last name is very unique). I got lazy though and didn't want to deal with my family being upset about it.

It depends on how common your last name is. Some transexuals opt to change their last name if they have a really rare last name that could tie them to their old self, however if you have a more common last name, that might not be too big an issue. I myself have a very common last name, so I didn't change it. Also, I'm my parent's only child and I think it would disappoint my father a bit if I didn't carry on his namesake. I happen to like my last name as well. However, I am a different person than you, so I can't really tell you what to do. Different people have different reasons for keeping or changing their last name.

Assuming you're in the U.S., it shouldn't be any harder to change your last name along with the rest of it; a possible exception might be if you are for example greatly in debt or have a felony record (genuine reasons for a judge to hesitate on granting your name change) where also attempting to change your last name may raise some extra suspicion.

If you're looking to be at least somewhat (if not completely) stealth changing your last name makes it harder for others to piece the two together if they see both your old and new name. Here's an old post from me that describes some more of the pros and cons when deciding on what to do with your last name.

I got a pretty unique last name (no, it's not Ezrin, in case you wonder ), but I don't think I'm going to change it. My parents are having enough difficulties with adapting to all of this, and I don't have a bad relationship with them generally. So breaking with my last name would feel like breaking with my parents, sort of, rather than breaking with my past. If that makes sense...

I have also debated  changing my last name, though I have been for a while (even before I realized I'm a transman). The reason being is because it ties me to my step-father (who adopted me when I was really young) and I rather hate him. I am still debating it. Where as my reason is different from your own, I have to say it's up to you. If you want to change it, make sure you're doing it for the right reason, and to a last name you are going to like.

Otherwise I don't really see why it would be a huge difference if you just drop a letter in your last name.

I have wondered about it myself mainly cause I worry that it might be embarassing for some members of my family who may end up not being supportive, that and my mum does our family history and I think it would be tricky for her to update it with a new name once I decide on one but then I also think it be less tricky then just not updating it and having it be like I disappeared.

Also there is the fact that I am considering names where my initials(at least first and last) would be the same and if my surname stays the same then I wouldn't have to change my signature.

My signature doesn't even have my real first name in it, and nobody cares, lol

But yeah, I considered changing it too. For a while. But eventually decided not to.
Oh and I now see I said something not entirely correct. I said; my parents ARE having a hard time... etc. which implies I've come out to them, which, sadly, isn't the case.
I'm just already out in my mind, LOL!

Thanks for all the comments. Just curious about other people's experience.

--Jay

Not doing it, but for a whole different reason. My girl friend asked me how easy would it be to sign my name without the letter. As it happens it is the second most prominent letter in my signature. It turns out nearly impossible. Not going to do this for one letter. Anyway it was a good idea while it lasted.

--Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on May 11, 2013, 12:53:55 AM
I guess ciswoman change their last names all the time.
--Jay

A lot of ciswomen are now keeping their original family name, I never actually thought of changing my family name, but when I married my husband I took my husband's name, for lots of reasons for me it was a nice change, it was like a new start, I felt like a new woman, after nearly 3years of marriage bliss, Im very used to it, Mrs Pauline -------