My ex-husband married my ex-best friend, and so I had to share my last name with her for a few years. Then, about 1990, I found my birth parents, and decided to change my last name from the married name to my biological father’s last name (adopted father had passed away years earlier).
I have always hated my name–first, middle and last-but, I balked about changing my first name, more for my friends and family than for me. They have always known me by this name (I have had some friends for 30 years), and I didn’t think it would have been fair to ask them to call me something completely different. But I didn’t loathe my first name as much as you hate yours.
It’s a very individual and personal decision. And, it was easy! I only had to go to the courthouse, fill out the form, pay a nominal fee, and then run an ad in the local paper for three weeks stating the intent to change my name. Then it was a done deal.
But don’t forget about all the other places you’ll have to notify of the change like insurance, social security benefits, DMV, credit cards, etc. In fact, that was probably the most time-consuming and tedious part.
I’m very happy with my decision, and have no regrets. I hope you have a similar experience.
