Legally Changing My Name?

Well, just for some insight, I was born in China, and I immigrated to the United States when I was 4 years old. When I immigrated, well my parents pretty much didn't know any English or the such, so, they never gave me an English name.

So yeah, my Chinese name is IMPOSSIBLE to pronounce, and I've just been going off this nickname these friends of mine gave me in kindergarten.

I'm just simply wondering if it would be beneficial for me to change my name to something, I don't know how you call it, socially acceptable? And if so, I'm wondering how I'd go upon picking a name, since I'd feel like it'd be awkward to just be called some different name suddenly. I feel like I should though, since it would be nice to have people actually be able to say my name and such.

 

The nickname, is it similar to your real name, somehow shortened?

I knew a girl who's name was something like nataloumoc, called 'nat', often referred to as Natalie. If you could do something like this, it won't feel like too much of a change.

 

Dude love the name your parents gave you. At least they didn't name you Gaylord Focker.

 

You should be able to via deed poll. I'm not sure how it works in the US, but I got my surname changed in the UK and it was relatively easy. You'll need to present name change documents though if you need to access stuff with your old name though.

 

Not at all, let's just say that the nickname I got and my birth name have no correlation with each other, and I doubt it'd be something I'd want to be my legal name.

I do like my name, it's just that I feel like it'd be better to just change it to something that people won't cringe trying to pronounce, and if I do change my name, I'm just planning on moving my first name to my middle name.

I understand how the whole process of name changing works, I'm just simply asking more on the lines of, how would I come up with a name for myself, as I've been thinking about this for a while and no names really feel... natural if you know what I'm saying.

 

Do you feel comfortable telling us your first name and nickname?
Would be easier for us to give you more insightful help or ideas

 

Can you tell us your chineese name in english maybe using google translator or something

 

Name changes happen all of the time, my law professor was telling us this semester about a guy who legally changed his name to something like Lucifer Beelzebub. In the US you used to have to have a valid reason as to why you needed a name change. That has changed and all you need is money for the filing and processing fees. All you have to do is petition the courts and go through a relatively simply process.

About the benefit it would really only benefit you if you were going into a profession where you are going to be part of the public eye. Other than that I don't really see the benefit besides people being able to correctly pronounce your name.

 

In order to change your name in the US, you have to go to fill out a bunch of paper work, submit it to the county clerk to get notarized, and submit it to the appropriate federal office (can't think of the name, but it has "Name Change" in the title). The administration will either approve, or deny your name change. If they deny it, and you want that name change badly, you may have to defend it in court.

If it is approved, they will stamp paperwork with your new name, and then you must go to the DMV and Social Security Adminstration Office, with your paperwork with your new name, and birth certificate from China. They will each mail you your new ID/SS card in the mail.

Changing your name is a HUGE choice, and it's not easy, and a pain in the ass to do, so make sure you think wisely about it, and choose the best decision. Good luck.

 

In order to change your name in the US, you have to go to fill out a bunch of paper work, submit it to the county clerk to get notarized, and submit it to the appropriate federal office (can't think of the name, but it has "Name Change" in the title). The administration will either approve, or deny your name change. If they deny it, and you want that name change badly, you may have to defend it in court.

If it is approved, they will stamp paperwork with your new name, and then you must go to the DMV and Social Security Adminstration Office, with your paperwork with your new name, and birth certificate from China. They will each mail you your new ID/SS card in the mail.

Changing your name is a HUGE choice, and it's not easy, and a pain in the ass to do, so make sure you think wisely about it, and choose the best decision. Good luck.

 

why don't you just ask people to call you by your nickname? or find a name you like and ask people to call you by that. If it feels comfortable make it legal

 

Yeah, I know it's a hassle, but I'm applying for United States citizenship in the following months, so I feel like if I were to change my name, I should do it at the same time.



Oh yeah, and just asking you guys, do you guys know any short names, like I'm talking 3-4 letters long, because I'm thinking of trying to have people call me a certain name for X amount of days, and I want to test out which ones feel good to me.

 

Might want to tell us if you're male or female. I cannot tell with the name you gave us.

 

I'm a male lol

 

Here's a website from the US census with the most common names for males. Go through the list, and write down the ones you want to try out.

http://www.census.gov/genealogy/names/dist.male.first

 

Sean, Ross, Jack, Ryan, Mark, Mike.

You can take a look at a list here and see if you like any.

I'm not asking for a picture, it's not easy throwing random names at you, or anyone else really. Some people looks like a Joe and not a Bill. I suggest either you or a RL friend takes a pick.

 

Honestly I'd say keep your name. It's your name and it's who you are. No one in America will/should judge you for that but on the same note no one would/should judge you for changing it to benefit the fact that many of us would just butcher your name haha it's a personal choice and if it really bothers you that much I see no reason as to why you shouldn't change it. Pick a cool name at least

 

Yeah, I'm trying to find a pic of me with my black hair. I have my hair dyed blond right now just for fun, so I don't look like how I usually do.

Well, personally I wouldn't mind changing it, so at this point, I'm convinced I do want to change it, so I'm trying to decide carefully what to change it to. Anyways, I'm not dropping my old name, I'm gonna move it to my middle name.

 

Good idea. But honestly I'd say Mike, Toby, or David are good Asian/American names.

 

I've always been partial to Dante, as he is one of my favorite poets. Jeff also sounds promising, but I mean it is up to you. Like I said in my previous post you could name yourself Lucifer Beelzebub if you have enough money to fight it.