A year ago (almost to the day) I wrote a post about how I changed my surname at almost 30 years old. You can read the how and why I did it in my original post here. But I thought I’d do a little update and let you know why it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I never liked my old surname; I hated saying it, I’d avoid using it, I’d have gladly adopted the ‘only one name’ thing like Cher or Madonna but I’m not famous and society demands more than a first name, unfortunately. My best friend and I used to write each other letters and he’d address them to Sarah NoLastName, and that’s how I’d sign mine off. I’m not making this shit up, I genuinely despised my surname so bloody much.
Stuff happened last year (read my other post) and I decided I couldn’t live another thirty years being bound to a name I didn’t want to be associated with. I didn’t want that name on my articles, my social media, on letters, anywhere, I wanted to never see it again. Obviously, I’ve seen it a few times on letters from companies that I’d forgot to change my name with but it’s very rare. And it pisses me off. If I get post or an email with my old name on it really winds me up; I know it’s my own fault for not changing it with whoever has sent it but seeing it annoys me.
Changing my name with the DVLA, doctors, bank etc was really quick and simple. For the majority of them I just had to send them a letter with a copy of my Deed Poll and it was done. Others I sent emails to and attached my name-change certificate. And for the likes of the bank and doctors, I did it in person. The question I got asked a lot was, ‘so are you Mrs now?’ or various queries regarding marriage and I had to explain, that I wasn’t married, just changed my name, and that was it. Done, very easy.
Not once have I stumbled on my name or accidentally given the old one. Sarah Alexander rolls easily off my tongue like it was meant to be.
If you know me, you’ll know my four year old nephew is my absolute world and whenever he says my full name, not only does he mispronounce it but he giggles his head off. I have absolutely no idea why he does this but it’s adorable and always makes me smile too.
I love my name. I really, really love it. I love saying it. I love writing it. I love everything about it. I feel like it has been my name forever. And it sounds like royalty, don’t you think? (Am I reaching?)
It’s made me proud to say my name. It’s all mine. It doesn’t belong to anyone else (I know there’s other people with the same name but you know what I mean). It has no associations or meanings, it’s just a name that I really like and am so glad I bit the bullet and got it changed.
Happy name change bday! What made you change it to Alexander? I changed mine 5 years after I got married only because I wanted the same surname as my kids! Not fussed about the hubby 😂😂 I'm glad you made the right decision for you.
Amina xx | http://www.AliandHer.com
Happy name change anniversary, I don't blame you at all for changing your name. My other half has a surname that means nothing to him, his mum married a bloke she hasn't been with since he was 17 when he was 8 and changed it, not legally just changed it. The name is now some bloke he has nothing to do with, so when we get married he will change his name to my surname, the girls have my surname already so we will all be the same then 🙂 xxxx
Thank you! No reason really, I liked how it sounded lol x
That's lovely 🙂 x