I’m an [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]. I despise my name, and have considered changing it for many years now. (I’m around 20,so about 4 years of consideration). I hate that there are 5-6 [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]'s everywhere I go, including classes at University. (Including the [name_f]Ashlee[/name_f] and [name_f]Ashleigh[/name_f] spellings). No one calls me by my given name with a few exceptions. I get called by my middle name, nickname, or become “the redheaded [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]”, “tall [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]”, or even “fat/big [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]”. However, many people don’t call me by a name at all, including family members, and it’s not on purpose. It makes me feel like less of a person.
Hace any of you changed your first name as an adult?
I’m unsure what I would change my name too. I like [name_f]Jenny[/name_f]/[name_f]Ginny[/name_f], [name_u]Sky[/name_u], and [name_u]Rowen[/name_u]. However, I need a bigger list to decide on possibilities. It can’t be an overly trendy name.
I haven’t changed my name (though, I’ve thought of doing it because it’s more of a nickname) but I would think it would feel a little weird to be called something else after 20 years of being an [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]. To make it a smoother transition, you could use another A name. Like [name_f]Autumn[/name_f], [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] or classic [name_f]Alice[/name_f].
I’ve never faced a problem like that before. The closest I’ve been to a situation like that, is my friend was thinking of changing her middle name a couple years ago. Her middle name was Napoleona. She detested it and thought about changing it to [name_f]Laura[/name_f]. She never went through with it. I think she made her peace with her middle name. Afterall, its not like she goes by her full name that much.
If you want to change your name, more power to you. Some advice though…I probably wouldn’t choose “[name_f]Jenny[/name_f]”. Considering how popular [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f] was, you’ll probably run into a lot of “[name_f]Jenny[/name_f]'s” or “[name_f]Jen[/name_f]'s”.
I’ve never really been called [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]. I’ve been called [name_u]Red[/name_u] or [name_f]Joy[/name_f] (my middle name). People including [name_f]My[/name_f] own grandmother will not address me at all “Hey you”, but not mean it as an insult.
I haven’t changed a name and I never considered it, but I know a person who did. The woman is in her thirties and is really indecisive. Actually, she changed her name three times. She was [name_f]Tatyana[/name_f] (a traditional name here) originally, then she became [name_f]Tina[/name_f] (a rare and generally unfavorable name here) and then she changed it to Anfisa (more of a pet name here). After that she changed her name again, but my mom lost contact with her and we don’t know what exactly she’s named now. All these changes were made in a period of three years.
I guess the woman wasn’t actually sure what she wants to be called. She kept changing her mind and it was really weird. I only saw her once so I didn’t get to talk to her about that, but I wonder how she explained it to her family and friends.
What I want to say is that I believe you have to be absolutely sure that, first of all, you want to change your name - get rid of an old one and, secondly, you love the name you’d like to change it to and it feels like yours.
I wouldn’t recommend doing such things if you are one of these people who change their mind every minute.
P.S.: I reread it and realized it may sound harsh. Sorry, it wasn’t my intention! Whatever you decide, I hope you are finally comfortable with your name soon (the original one or the new one).
Not harsh at all. Thanks for your opinion! I’m terribly cautious,and if I changed my name I would keep it. I’ll never be comfortable with my name unfortunately. I feel like I might as well of been named [name_f]Jane[/name_f] [name_f]Doe[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] mission now is to find a name that fits me. I really like [name_u]Sky[/name_u], but I want a more in depth list.
Then I think you should give us some more names you like (ideally around 10) and we could try to suggest you some more of similar style. I also think you should decide if you want your new name to resemble [name_u]Ashley[/name_u] or not. If your new name resembles your original name the transition should be much easier.
From the names you’ve mentioned so far I really like [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] (prefer this spelling) for you, because of its meaning (“little readhead”).
I do like the idea of the name meaning red.
I need to search harder and am open to suggestions.
I like so far:
[name_u]Sky[/name_u]
[name_f]Roana[/name_f]
[name_u]Logan[/name_u]
[name_u]Rowen[/name_u]/ [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]
[name_f]Ginny[/name_f]
You could use [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] as a nickname for [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] or [name_f]Virginia[/name_f]. Also consider [name_f]Rowena[/name_f] instead of [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] if you want the name to be more feminine.
I also think you should decide if you want your new name to resemble [name_u]Ashley[/name_u] or not. If your new name resembles your original name the transition should be much easier.