First name change. Getting desperate!

Girl Names
1

[name_m]Hi[/name_m]

I am looking to change my first name. My legal name at the moment is [name_f]Laura[/name_f]. I have a really deep reason for not liking my name. It’s not just a normal I simply don’t like my name kind of thing.

I have considered respelling my name [name_f]Lora[/name_f]. I do love the spelling [name_f]Lora[/name_f] as it reminds me of folk lore. Not sure if that is good thing or not. What do you think?

Another name I could use is [name_f]Lowri[/name_f] which is the Welsh form of [name_f]Laura[/name_f]. Not sure how to pronounce this name though. I live in [name_f]England[/name_f] though and not [name_m]Wales[/name_m], is this a deal breaker? Neither do I have Welsh ancestry either, another deal breaker?

Another name I have considered is [name_f]Lauren[/name_f]. I am not sure I like [name_f]Lauren[/name_f] though. I think in fact I might prefer my actual birth name [name_f]Laura[/name_f] which isn’t ideal.

I was never given a middle name at birth so I can’t use my middle name for first name either. I have also always wanted a middle name so plan on giving myself one or maybe even two. For my middle name I would love to use [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]. [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] is the spelling I want to use as it’s an honour name and that is how my great grandmother spelt it. I can’t use [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] as my first name as I have a cousin already named [name_f]Sophie[/name_f]. I think it might get confusing for my family to call us both [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]/[name_f]Sophie[/name_f].

Some names I am in love with are [name_f]Isobel[/name_f]/[name_f]Isabel[/name_f]/[name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], [name_f]Lucie[/name_f]/[name_f]Lucy[/name_f], [name_f]Lucia[/name_f], [name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Isabella[/name_f], [name_f]Verity[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Elise[/name_f], [name_f]Faye[/name_f], [name_f]Naomi[/name_f], [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_f]Amy[/name_f], [name_f]Emily[/name_f]. I am aware at most of these names don’t flow very well with [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]. So I am looking for opinions on which of the names flow well with [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] and suggestions on other names you think I might like.

Some names I can’t use… [name_f]Leanne[/name_f], [name_f]Victoria[/name_f], [name_f]Lara[/name_f], [name_u]Connie[/name_u], [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Rosie[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], [name_f]Susannah[/name_f], [name_f]Cecily[/name_f] and [name_f]Caitlin[/name_f].

My surname begins with [name_m]Ab[/name_m] like [name_f]Abigail[/name_f].

Thanks in advance.

2

I would maybe consult the Social Security list for the year you were born. Several of the names you love ([name_f]Isabella[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f], [name_f]Sofie[/name_f], [name_f]Josephine[/name_f], etc) make sense that you love them because they’re very on trend and popular for babies being born now to be named. Though there’s certainly people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s with these names, it would just be something I would want to be mindful of if I were changing my name.

3

I am not sure where I can get a list of names for the year I was born. I live in the UK not the USA so I don’t think they have the same name system USA does.

4

[name_f]Lora[/name_f] works well! As do [name_f]Amy[/name_f], [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f] and [name_f]Clara[/name_f] - none of them stand out either to me as names that are only popular now + I think they do flow with [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]

Some other ideas
[name_f]Loretta[/name_f]
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Leah[/name_f]
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]/[name_f]Luisa[/name_f] (maybe nn [name_f]Lucie[/name_f])

5

What about [name_f]Emilia[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] nn [name_f]Emily[/name_f]?

[name_f]Joelle[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] nn [name_u]Joey[/name_u], [name_f]Jolie[/name_f], [name_f]Joy[/name_f]

Or: [name_f]Liora[/name_f], [name_f]Elora[/name_f], Alora, or [name_f]Ora[/name_f] ?

Also wonder if you might like [name_f]Maura[/name_f] , but it may look too much like [name_f]Laura[/name_f], so what about [name_f]Mora[/name_f], it means blueberry.

6

[name_f]Do[/name_f] you love [name_f]Lore[/name_f] as first name or only [name_f]Lora[/name_f]? I also like [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]. You don’t know how to pronounce [name_f]Lowri[/name_f], that’s bigger deal-breaker, actually, so I wouldn’t use it. I also wouldn’t want to use name I don’t like and is similar to one I wish to change.

Another name form is [name_f]Lauretta[/name_f] - from Decameron novels. It’s similar in pronunciation of [name_f]Loretta[/name_f], but maybe you wouldn’t like it…

7

Greyblue - I really like the name [name_f]Loretta[/name_f].

Ashleyjuliette - I really like [name_f]Elora[/name_f] and [name_f]Liora[/name_f].

[name_f]Desdemona[/name_f] - I really only like [name_f]Lora[/name_f] and not [name_f]Lore[/name_f] as a full name. I like the idea of using [name_f]Lore[/name_f] as a nickname though.

8

I like a [name_f]Laura[/name_f] variation like [name_f]Lauren[/name_f], [name_f]Liora[/name_f], [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], or [name_f]Lorena[/name_f]. I like any of those with [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]. I would think it might make the name change easier to choose something similar to your current name. Otherwise I like [name_f]Isabel[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f], [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f], and [name_f]Elise[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] best. I’ll suggest [name_f]Cara[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] too.

9

Hey! Changing your name is such an exciting but daunting process. I’ve done it as well, for deep emotional reasons rather than a simple dislike, and I can tell you that it has significantly improved my life and my comfort with myself. However, there are definitely drawbacks to it. The process to get it changed legally is costly and tiresome, atleast where I live, and I am still confronted with my birth name on legal documents, and I put lots of energy into hiding this name from people who do not know it; it’s very tiring (think of making a bank transfer payment to your friends! Name cards at work that are generated by human resources employees who only know your legal name as it’s in their database! Government mail in a shared mailbox and confused roommates seeing these!). To avoid situations like these, I’d strongly suggest you try to come up with a nickname for your birth nam, or atleast a name that starts with an L as well. It’s just, generally speaking, more useful. Also, I’d consider the possibility that you might reconcile with your birth name at some point in your life.

I agree that it might be better to consult a list of names given in your “era” of birth to avoid names that are trendy right now, but were barely used back then - I don’t really know any examples of this in the UK, but think of [name_f]Aria[/name_f] or [name_f]Luna[/name_f] in the US. I’d also avoid names that are overly frilly and names that don’t fit with your ethnic heritage. I remember from a thread that you are 17, here is a list of the most popular names that were used in the UK in the year 2000: Top UK baby names 2000 - BabyCentre UK. Many of them might feel dated now, but there’s still plenty of classic choices I think.

Most of all I just want to tell you that your new name isn’t necessarily one you will fall head over heels for. No name will feel right in the beginning w hen you have just started using it. Try testing out different names first: do they feel like you? After several years I still worry that I don’t “look” like my chosen name even if people reassure me I do. And you’ll go through phases of love for it, of contempt for it, of indifference towards it. You’ll have to grow into a new name just like babies grow into the names their parents chose for them. It might be smart to choose a name that has some built-in nickname options, incase you end up not “feeling” like the name you chose.

From your list I think [name_f]Isabel[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f], [name_f]Elise[/name_f], [name_f]Naomi[/name_f], [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f], [name_f]Amy[/name_f] and [name_f]Emily[/name_f] are definitely not “weird” on a 17-year-old. The other ones are beautiful, but you might be a bit “old” for them. From the list of names I linked, I like [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], [name_f]Ella[/name_f], [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Anna[/name_f], [name_f]Amelia[/name_f], [name_f]Zoe[/name_f], [name_f]Mia[/name_f] and [name_f]Lily[/name_f].

Best of luck to you!!

10

What about [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f]? [name_f]Lorelei[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] is a great combo.

You could also do [name_f]Laurel[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f].

I also agree that [name_f]Elora[/name_f] is a fantastic option too. [name_f]Elora[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] flows nicely.

[name_f]Florence[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] is another that came to mind.

Out of the names you had suggested (which are all wonderful names by the way) I would say these combos flow the best with [name_f]Sofie[/name_f],

[name_f]Isobel[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]
[name_f]Lucia[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]
[name_f]Elise[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f]

I think as long as you avoid a first name that ends in the same EE ending as [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] the flow will work just fine!

11

Thank you so much for the very thoughtful reply. I am actually 27 not 17 but no worries.

I like the idea of finding another L name. At the moment I am leaning towards [name_f]Lora[/name_f] as it has the same pronunciation as [name_f]Laura[/name_f] just a different spelling. [name_f]Lora[/name_f] doesn’t have the same bad memories as [name_f]Laura[/name_f] does even though it is basically the same name.The other name I love is [name_f]Lucie[/name_f] or [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]. I can’t seem to decide on the spelling. [name_f]Lucia[/name_f] I love as well.

I know someone who has changed their name legally in the UK and the problems aren’t as bad here as in the USA I don’t think. Once your name has been changed here in the UK all your legal documents are in your new name. Your old name is only on your birth certificate.

12

Actually it’s pretty much a draw as to what you can and cannot change to have your new name on it in the US vs UK (some documents here may not be changeable there, and vice versa). The differences to highlight are:

  1. In the US how documents are handled (except for federal ones) is often left up to the states/local governments/individual institutions, while the UK has more “centralized” rules.
  2. In most US states you can actually amend your birth certificate to show the new name (if the change is for a non-marriage-related reason - BCs don’t show married names). This fact is a major point for transgender people, since for obvious reasons they usually prefer not to have their old name floating around if at all possible (if you want to break free from your old name as much as you can, and you know someone who is transgender, you might look to them for advice). On the other hand, in a non-transgender, non-“sensitive” name change, they may just “add a note” about the new name instead of removing the old one like they’d do in those other cases.
13

From the names you suggested, I think [name_f]Lora[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f] would work. Another idea would be [name_f]Lora[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f].

14

To be honest, if your birth name is [name_f]Laura[/name_f] and you don’t like it, I wouldn’t change it to [name_f]Lora[/name_f]. They sound the same and [name_f]Laura[/name_f] is a lot more common so when people hear the name they will automatically assume it’s [name_f]Laura[/name_f] anyways.

I don’t think you have to be Welsh or live in [name_m]Wales[/name_m] to use [name_f]Lowri[/name_f], but I wouldn’t use a name you don’t know how to pronounce in general, it comes off as a bit ignorant and clueless. If you used the correct Welsh pronunciation though I think it’d be fine, other than probably having to explain it to other people a lot, if that would bother you.

[name_f]Sofie[/name_f] is a lovely name, and feels more international and sophisticated than [name_f]Sophie[/name_f], which is very sweet, down-to-earth and approachable. I usually like [name_f]Sophie[/name_f] better but both are beautiful, and [name_f]Lora[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] looks a lot more interesting than [name_f]Lora[/name_f] [name_f]Sophie[/name_f].

As for the list of names you love, it’s hard to say which one would suit you best. Unlike naming a baby, where you don’t know what their personality will be like anyways so you can’t really pick a name based on that, when you’re renaming yourself as an adult certain names will probably fit better.

About flow- names that end in the “ee” sound don’t quite flow with [name_f]Sofie[/name_f], [name_f]Faye[/name_f] sounds rather choppy with it since it’s just one syllable, and [name_f]Elise[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] is rather hissy with the repeated “s” sounds. [name_f]Isobel[/name_f]/[name_f]Isabel[/name_f]/[name_f]Isabelle[/name_f], [name_f]Lucia[/name_f], [name_f]Elena[/name_f], [name_f]Isabella[/name_f] and [name_f]Clara[/name_f] all sound perfectly fine with [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] to me though.

I’m surprised actually at the comments that these names sound a bit “young” for you. I wouldn’t associate most of these names with any particular age group except [name_f]Clara[/name_f] which sounds like a woman in her 60s to me, mostly because the only [name_f]Clara[/name_f] I’ve ever met is from that generation. The others feel fairly timeless to me. I’m in my 20s too and have known or met girls around my age with most of these names, other than [name_f]Verity[/name_f] which is pretty obscure where I live, but my friend in the UK has a friend named [name_f]Verity[/name_f] who’s also 20-something. I actually associate [name_f]Emily[/name_f] with girls my age more than young children, since I knew sooo many growing up, but again, it’s classic enough to work on any age.

Good luck with your choice! :slight_smile:

15

I think the least amount of headache will come with changing to [name_f]Lora[/name_f]. Any mail or documents that are addressed to “[name_f]Laura[/name_f]” are easily explained as being misspelled. Also, people who already know you as “[name_f]Laura[/name_f]” won’t have to work at - and won’t mess up at - calling you by your new name.

[name_f]Lora[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] is a lovely name, and it would be pretty easy to add in another middle, if desired. [name_f]Lora[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] [name_f]Isabella[/name_f], or [name_f]Lora[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] [name_f]Isobel[/name_f] are quite elegant and lovely; [name_f]Lora[/name_f] [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f] is also really pretty.

Good luck!

16

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far.

I am still stuck on a name but I am definitely set on the name [name_f]Sofie[/name_f] as my middle name. I am however steering towards [name_f]Lora[/name_f] as my new name. I just wonder if it is to short for me. Normally I love longer names I think.

By reading the answer and looking at more names I have found the following names that might work as an easier transition for my new name.

The names are…
Laure - Pronounced lore like in folk lore I believe. Would this name be to complicated in an English speaking country?
Lorena - I can’t find much information about this name. Any thing I should know about Lorena?
Lorelei - My mother told me about the German mermaid alluring sailors to their deaths by singing. Not sure if I like this tale so it might be a deal breaker for me.
Lorea - I love the idea of the name. It is pronounced Lor-ray-ya I believe. However is it to unusual to wear on a person?
Loretta/Lauretta - I like this name. What origin is the name from?
Laurel - Basically I could go with Laurel which what my name means now.