Okay, so I was born [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f]. I have always liked [name_f]Erin[/name_f], but I have never liked [name_f]Brittany[/name_f]. I have tried to go by a variety of things but it hasn’t ever stuck. Finally, I was just like screw it, and I changed my name on facebook to [name_f]Britta[/name_f]. Basically no one made any comments about it, and then I started going by [name_f]Britta[/name_f] at classes when the semester started. So now a whole large section of people in my life call me [name_f]Britta[/name_f], and because it’s so close to my name anyone that I’d met recently that called me [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] found it fairly easy to switch or call me [name_u]Britt[/name_u] at least.
I have felt so good about this name that I want to get it legally changed. And also, I have a cousin named [name_f]Brittany[/name_f], and two of my cousins (on other sides) married Brittanys, so I am one of FOUR in my family. It gets so confusing and I honestly hate it. I hate ittttt.
However, two issues have stemmed from me making this decision:
My mom was super offended and hurt. That’s to be expected, although she hates her name and dropped her middle completely when she got married. She says no one in the family (including her) will call me anything other than [name_f]Brittany[/name_f].
She doesn’t know I also want to drop my middle. I like [name_f]Erin[/name_f], but I don’t think [name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] goes well. And I think my name is nice as just a first and last. I don’t need a middle. My husband thinks I should pick another middle, but I would have no idea what to pick.
SO ANYWAY, advice or opinions on this would be great. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it’s disrespectful to parents to change your name? Should I keep [name_f]Erin[/name_f] to make it go over easier possibly? Or add my maiden name? Advice and thoughts welcome.
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] is pretty. I assume it is pronounced as [name_u]BRIT[/name_u]-a with a short vowel sound on the first syllable.
I agree the flow of [name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] is not good.
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] : [name_f]Erin[/name_f] means from [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], right?
Another idea is [name_f]Britta[/name_f] ___ [name_f]Erin[/name_f]. So you could keep your original middle and make it a second middle name to keep peace.
If I were you and liked [name_f]Britta[/name_f] that much better, I would legally change it only if [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] bothered me That much, otherwise I’d just have people call me [name_f]Britta[/name_f] (even if [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] was my formal name)
You could use two middles (one being [name_f]Erin[/name_f])
You could switch out [name_f]Erin[/name_f] completely and use [name_f]Ireland[/name_f]
You could use [name_m]Just[/name_m] [name_f]Britta[/name_f] ___. And opt for no middle.
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] _____ and it could be [name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] (one syllable middle) to balance out the choppiness.
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] [name_f]Faith[/name_f]
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f]
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Ireland[/name_f]
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] Surname
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] Maiden name Surname
What one syllable names do you like? Maybe [name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_u]Sky[/name_u]
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] [name_u]Sky[/name_u] is pretty.
[name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] is lovely! And yes, that’s why my mom picked [name_f]Erin[/name_f] (because of our Irish heritage), although I’ve never felt particularly close to it. That’s why I was considering dropping it. Great suggestions. I don’t think I want [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] as my formal name because, for one, every time I have to use it I cringe a little. I just wish I could write [name_f]Britta[/name_f] on my formal papers, ya know?
I hadn’t considered a second middle name, that’s a great idea! I’ll have to look into it, as I want names that have some significance instead of just choosing something randomly.
I understand where your mum is coming from but if you cringe every time you have to write your full name out, that’s just not good. I would say change it, it isn’t like you are deviating that much from [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] just dropping the last 2 letters so you are still honouring your parents choice (in my mind anyway). In terms of middles I think the suggestion of [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] is perfect (and I’m not usually a fan of [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] as a name) as it is so close to your original name without being [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f]. Also using your maiden name as a second middle could work, or maybe even your mums maiden name to keep the family connection.
What I will say is that once you have made your final decision on a name sit down and have a talk with your mum about why you need to do this. Or if you narrow it down to 2 or more middle name options that you love ask her for her input on which one you should go for!
Good luck and btw I really like [name_f]Britta[/name_f], much more than [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] actually!
I would say that since [name_f]Britta[/name_f] works so perfectly as a nn for [name_f]Brittany[/name_f], there doesn’t seem to be a real need to change it; but, as you said, if I were one of 5 so-and-sos in my family, I think I would feel inclined to follow through with the hassle of making the change. Fwiw I love [name_f]Erin[/name_f], and think [name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] would work just fine. I actually know someone who was supposed to be named [name_f]Brittany[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] but her parents changed their minds when she was born a redhead and named her [name_f]Felicia[/name_f] [name_f]Erin[/name_f] (: [name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] has a nice ring to it, too. What is your maiden name?
I don’t think that changing your name is disrespectful at all. It’s something that you’re doing for yourself, not something that you’re doing to your parents. I get that they might be upset but at the end of the day it’s your name and you should love it and feel comfortable with it.
I think that you should do whatever you want with your middle name, whether you decide to keep [name_f]Erin[/name_f], replace it, or just drop your middle name.
I like the suggestion of [name_f]Britta[/name_f] [name_f]Ireland[/name_f]!