If you saw on facebook, your friend [name]Karen[/name] changed her name to [name]Wren[/name], what would you think?
My family is going through major changes and transitions. We’ve gone through a very challenging past 5yrs that has dramatically changed me. I’ve even gotten a brand new haircut and style and so have my children. We are moving and starting over. I’ve never been too attatched to my name and always liked [name]Wren[/name] better. My husband doesn’t think its strange, which greatly surprises me, but he still calls me Kare, which I dont really like. Lol I’m not sure if I can really pull it off or if people would just think its strange. [name]Ive[/name] already changed my account on here and fb, and got a couple questions already lol. I just replied, its like a nickname. idk is this really going to work?? Lol
My motehr in law changed her first name after a divorce. It was a subtle change from [name]Sue[/name] [name]Ann[/name] to [name]Suzanne[/name]. She is so happy she did - it was part of a fresh start for her and not too off of her given name. Some people still call her [name]Sue[/name], like her parents, and she is fine with that and doesn’t ask them to change.
You may find the same… [name]Wren[/name] sonds like the second sylable of [name]Karen[/name]. It is almost likeyou are formalizing a nicname. If you want to do it, now sounds like the time to do it.
My mom has a friend in her 70’s from Germany and when she moved to the US about 20 years ago, she changed her name from [name]Renata[/name] to [name]Susie[/name]. [name]Just[/name] because it sounded “more American” and she wanted to fit in. I think it’s very common to change your image and name after a trauma or major change in life. I love [name]Wren[/name]! But, be prepared for some family to be stubborn and not accept it at first. When I decided to go by my middle name as a teen, my mom hated the idea but she accepted it and now everyone has practically forgot my first name.
I don’t think going by [name]Wren[/name] would be too weird at all! I’ve considered [name]Wren[/name] many times to honor my mom (who is also a [name]Karen[/name]), and I know a [name]Karen[/name] who goes by the nn [name]Ren[/name]. I just think it’ll take some getting used to. [name]Wren[/name] is gorgeous, btw. And I can totally see you as a [name]Wren[/name], well, from our conversations before and what I know about you and all.
I am about to go through a similar situation–I have always had problems with my name, and I’m seriously thinking about transitioning from [name]Ashley[/name] to the nn [name]Lela[/name] ([name]Lee[/name]-lah). I am still in the phase of trying to decide whether or not I think it really suits me–suits me better than [name]Ashley[/name], at least!–but after that, I think I’ll start slowly transitioning to it… I think after people have known you (or me, whoever, haha) for years, if not decades, it’s not going to be terribly easy to transition, but if you keep on insisting, then they’ll get used to it.
I think you should put up a post and explain. You don’t have to go into details, but just say that you’ve decided to go by [name]Wren[/name], or are changing your name to [name]Wren[/name], because it is important to you.
So much great feedback! Yes, it will take some gettimg used to, for me and everyone else. [name]Ashley[/name], I actually got the idea from your post. So thanks! Lol but youre right, [name]Wren[/name] fits me soo much better than [name]Karen[/name]. And im finally ready to Be [name]Wren[/name] now. Lol I thought of it as a teen when I met a [name]Karen[/name] nn [name]Ren[/name] . I always admired it.
Thinking about explaining it on fb makes me nervous. I guess because the secret would be out, but thats what I want, right? Ok. Ill just do it. Lol definately not going into detail! Haha
Ill just compare it to my son [name]Jasper[/name] is also called [name]Jack[/name]. Thanks, ladies!
I think it would make more sense if you spelled it [name]Ren[/name], as people would be more likely to recognize that as a nickname for [name]Karen[/name]. Spelling it [name]Wren[/name] makes it look like you’ve changed your name completely, which would probably cause some confusion.
I think it works fine. I plan on doing the same thing!
I want to legally change my whole name, and I plan on breaking it to family via facebook. You can simply say something like “The last 5 years have been a time of major change, and my name is just one of them. :)”
I don’t think the name is a stretch at all! When I said [name]Wren[/name] out loud I immediately saw its connection to [name]Karen[/name] (whether this is good or bad) so I think it will work, even with those people who won’t get why you need to change. If it is something that is important to you I definitely think you can make it happen.
Good luck!
I love the idea! My sister is named [name]Karen[/name] so now I am making a mental note of the name [name]Wren[/name] as a possible way to honor her.
[name]How[/name] did you get your haircut? I went from half way down my back to shaved off almost completley when my oldest daughter was about 6 months old. It felt so good!
Great!
I went from dark hair past my shoulders to blonde ear length bob hairstyle. I havent been blonde in Years! And never a blonde with a bob hairstyle. So, it was quite a change and made me feel like a different person, which only matched how I felt inside
I did finally explain it simply and briefly on fb. Im sure it will give my mil more reasons to think im crazy. Lol oh well.
I think you should go for it! I love the name [name]Wren[/name]. I have a friend who was born [name]Georgiana[/name], went by [name]Georgie[/name], and later legally changed her name to [name]Georgi[/name]. She had a quick status explaining that she felt [name]Georgiana[/name] was too frilly and simply preferred [name]Georgie[/name] without the E so she had it changed to [name]Georgi[/name] when she was eighteen. It was weird for people at first but now people don’t even blink.
My SO has a cousin who he grew up knowing as [name]Peggy[/name] [name]Sue[/name] and she now goes by [name]Mae[/name], which seems like a weird switch - but everyone seemed to go with the flow.
I don’t think it’s weird at all! [name]Wren[/name] honestly doesn’t feel like a huge jump as a nickname for [name]Karen[/name].
And I can totally see you as a [name]Wren[/name], well, from our conversations before and what I know about you and all. 
You can simply say something like “The last 5 years have been a time of major change, and my name is just one of them. :)”