# Can I change my real name to "Almighty God"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 6, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892 "2007-01-06T01:52:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chasing\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@Chasing\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chasing_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/1 "2007-01-06T01:52:01Z")
I think the title conveys my question pretty well. I live in Canada. Is there any legal reason stopping me from changing my real name to “Almighty God”? Just think about how awe-inspiring this would be: “Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming Almighty God!!!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/2 "2007-01-06T03:39:16Z")
[QUOTE=Chasing Dreams] I think the title conveys my question pretty well. I live in Canada. Is there any legal reason stopping me from changing my real name to “Almighty God”? Just think about how awe-inspiring this would be: “Ladies and gentlemen, join me in welcoming Almighty God!!!” 🙂 [/QUOTE] I was thinking Jesus The Christ myself. For a small fee blessings are available… ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/3 "2007-01-06T04:06:03Z")
The problem is that many of us will deny or doubt your existence. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/4 "2007-01-06T04:10:53Z")
Sure, **Al** , why not? ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/5 "2007-01-06T06:40:02Z")
As long as you don’t do it for the purposes of fraud (if you do, it’s called an alibi), Canada doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. You’d have to talk to the individual Office of the Registrar or Vital Statistics Office for your province, though. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/6 "2007-01-06T08:54:48Z")
I imagine you can change, by deed poll, to whatever you want. “Hitler” is one to avoid 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/7 "2007-01-06T13:33:50Z")
Almighty is a long name - can we just call you Al? ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2007, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/8 "2007-01-06T14:34:51Z")
[QUOTE=Kythereia] As long as you don’t do it for the purposes of fraud (if you do, it’s called an alibi [/QUOTE] Alias, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/9 "2007-01-07T17:38:49Z")
Yes, but I doubt you’ll ever be able to pass a check, or a cheque. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/10 "2007-01-07T17:45:51Z")
The US doesn’t have many laws about name changes at all. You are free to change your name to anything at anytime whenever you want in the general sense. All you have to do is start using it. Stage names for actors often follow this model. However, getting other people to accept this name is up to them. They wouldn’t have to accept checks from a made-up name for example. The other step is government acceptance to the name. This has to be heard by a judge which is usually routinely approved in the case of most conventional name changes. In the case of an unusual one like this, it would depend on the judge. The only names that are routinely barred are those meant to defraud but it still would be at the discretion of the judge. Some may not want you to become a God so you would just have to try it and see. ---
**Author:** ![PastAllReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@PastAllReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastAllReason)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/11 "2007-01-07T18:04:16Z")
In Canada the provinces have jurisdiction to regulate changes of name. To the OP, if you’re serious about changing your name, contact the relevant department in your jurisdiction. Each province has legislation governing name changes. In Saskatchewan, for example, it is [The Change of Name Act, 1995](http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/C6-1.pdf) (warning: PDF) and the department you would contact is Vital Statistics. If you **are** serious you may want to take a look at section 10 of the Saskatchewan act: **Director’s decision re registration** 10(1) The director may register a change of name requested in an application if the director is satisfied: (a) that the application is complete; (b) that the applicant has complied with all other requirements of this Act; (c) as to the identity of the applicant and each other person who is a subject of the application; (d) as to the truth and sufficiency of the information provided in the application; and (e) that the application was submitted in good faith. **(2) The director may refuse to register a change of name requested in an application if: (a) the director is not satisfied with respect to any of the matters set out in clauses (1)(a) to (e); or (b) in the opinion of the director, it would not be in the public interest to register the change of name.** I am a lawyer admitted in Saskatchewan (but not yours). Though I have not reviewed the applicable legislation from the other jurisdictions I would find it extremely surprising if the Director or the equivalent does not have the authority to decline to register a name change under certain circumstances. Depending on the wording of the legislation in your province, you may have to deal with a Director who will not just automatically “rubber stamp” your desired new name. You may have to be prepared to have some interaction with the relevant authority. ---
**Author:** ![According\_to\_Pliny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/12 "2007-01-07T18:04:20Z")
US courts have normally been pretty lienient, since it seldom matters much. But when Prince made headlines with odd name changes, the judge had to hear testimony because a lot of business assets, like residuals and trademark law were involved. And individual judges vary a lot. Some are not open to accent marks or even unaccented foreign names and will want a “Christian” first and middle name, and an “ordinary” last name. In those cases, you simply refile and hope for a different judge. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/13 "2007-01-07T20:15:06Z")
I seem to recall some religious loon changing his legal name to something not far off, like Lord Lightning Almighty. Or was it Lord God Thunderbolt ? Something like that. And [this](http://www.ktvb.com/news/legislature/stories2/ktvbn-dec2706-senate_candidate.4fb992e1.html) political goofball legally changed his name to “Pro-Life”; I’d say you can choose most any name, at least in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Cartigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Cartigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartigan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/14 "2007-01-07T20:21:33Z")
When I was younger I worked for a lawyer and he handled name changes. Basically as long as it’s not to defraud you can change your name to anything, but it must be spellable in letters. For instance you can’t name yourself “6”, BUT you can name yourself “SIX.” Same way you can’t name yourself “&” BUT you could name yourself “AMPERSAND.” Technically you don’t need a court order but it is hard to do without one, because Social Security and Driver’s Licence bureaus won’t change it without an order. We had one lady who had difficulty because her legal name was LaDonna but she went by Donna and had Social Security and her Driver’s License by that name. This was in the 70s and you could get things changes so easily. Well Social Security was giving her a hard time collecting benefits after her husband died. So she petitioned the court to change her name to Donna. After that Social Security had no problem with it. I know some countries such France actually have strict rules about what you can and connot name your children. ---
**Author:** ![Don26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@Don26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don26)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/15 "2007-01-07T20:41:12Z")
You probably could, but, in all likelyhood people would just call you “the Jackass that changed his name to Almighty God”… ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/16 "2007-01-07T20:44:14Z")
[QUOTE=Cartigan] When I was younger I worked for a lawyer and he handled name changes. Basically as long as it’s not to defraud you can change your name to anything, but it must be spellable in letters. For instance you can’t name yourself “6”, BUT you can name yourself “SIX.” Same way you can’t name yourself “&” BUT you could name yourself “AMPERSAND.” [/QUOTE] Heh. One of my friends has as his middle name the Peace symbol (guess when he was born). Right there on his birth certificate and causes no end of trouble on official documents. Always winds up as “O” or something. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/17 "2007-01-07T20:46:20Z")
[QUOTE=Cartigan] For instance you can’t name yourself “6”, BUT you can name yourself “SIX.” Same way you can’t name yourself “&” BUT you could name yourself “AMPERSAND.” [/QUOTE] So did Prince change his name to “the artist formerly known as” because I don’t know how to spell [his name as a symbol](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Prince_symbol.svg)? ---
**Author:** ![Chasing\_Dreams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@Chasing\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chasing_Dreams)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/18 "2007-01-07T21:22:15Z")
From the looks of it, it appears that there is a pretty good chance that I can call myself “Almighty God.” Not that I would do something that silly. Unless someone paid me good money. 😛 I could see myself as “Bruce Lee”, though. 😃 Does anybody have more examples of outrageous name changes? ---
**Author:** ![bbs2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2007, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/19 "2007-01-07T22:19:28Z")
**Chasing Dreams** , small steps dear, small steps. First email an administrator and see if they’ll change your username into Almighty God. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892/20 "2007-01-08T04:07:09Z")
[QUOTE=Chasing Dreams] Does anybody have more examples of outrageous name changes? [/QUOTE] There’s [this](http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=3828) guy from Ohio who changed his name to Optimus Prime (as in the Transformer). IMO that makes him by far one of the coolest people ever. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-change-my-real-name-to-almighty-god/386892.md?page=2)