Renaming myself

[name]Hi[/name], I don’t really like my name. My name is [name]Eleanor[/name] but most of the time I’m called [name]Ellie[/name]. My middle name is [name]Mary[/name]. I’m 15 and I’m going to be moving schools in about a years time.
I don’t feel like I’m an [name]Eleanor[/name] or an [name]Ellie[/name] and I really can’t picture an adult called [name]Ellie[/name].

I really like both [name]Genevieve[/name] and [name]Stella[/name]. My surname is [name]Porter[/name].

I’ve just thought maybe a smoosh of my names- [name]Mariella[/name]?
I wouldn’t change it legally, I would just introduce myself as [name]Genevieve[/name]/[name]Stella[/name].
I love the idea of reinventing myself.

What do you all think? Thank you :smiley:

I think [name]Eleanor[/name] is a beautiful name! Ultimately, it’s up to you, but personally, I would shy away from introducing myself as something that’s completely different than my given name…I feel like it could get confusing as time went on, especially if/when you classmates discovered that it isn’t actually your name.

Have you thought about exploring other nicknames besides [name]Ellie[/name]? There are some really great options out there. I went to school with an [name]Eleanor[/name] who went by [name]Nora[/name], which I always liked a lot. There’s also [name]Nell[/name], [name]Elle[/name], [name]Lenore[/name]…[name]Ella[/name], which is particularly close to [name]Stella[/name], which you mentioned liking. What about your middle name? That could be an option too.

But as I said, ultimately, it’s up to you. Good luck!

I did change my name legally - I tried using it first without doing it legally, and it doesn’t really work. People just get confused and ask questions and it becomes a real pain to explain.

I like [name]Courtney[/name]'s idea of using a different nickname - I admit, I dislike the name [name]Ellie[/name] too - but [name]Nell[/name], [name]Nellie[/name], [name]Nora[/name], [name]Ella[/name], [name]Nor[/name] or [name]Lea[/name] are beautiful names! And its much easier going “My name is [name]Eleanor[/name], but every calls me xxx” than using a completely different name.

Chances are, ur age taken into consideration, ur new classmates would just think you were weird if u said ur name is [name]Genevieve[/name], when its not.

I think you should choose a new nickname that’s related to your name. I like [name]Nora[/name] as a nn for [name]Eleanor[/name].

[name]How[/name] are you gonna explain to people when they ask why your names are completely different (new name and given name)? I have several nicknames and a pseudo too, all I took from my full names or something strongly related to it. It’ll be easy if you say you have a plan to change it legally, but since you’re not, it’ll confuse people.

Btw, I like [name]Eleanor[/name]. I love [name]Elle[/name], not as much for [name]Ellie[/name] though. There are also [name]Lea[/name] or [name]Nora[/name]. Or [name]Ella[/name].

I think unless you pre-arrange with the principal and teachers first…other students will probably think its weird if you get called [name]Eleanor[/name] by them…when you have been telling everyone your name is [name]Genevieve[/name] or [name]Stella[/name]. But even then, your student I.D would have your real name on it. It might get tricky.

But really, whatever you do…try and be honest. If you’re gonna go by [name]Genevieve[/name]…then explain why. It will only look worse for you if the truth comes out.

I’m doing the same thing as you are. I’m turning fifteen at the end of summer and going to a different high school than most of the kids in my middle school are, so it’s the perfect chance to change your name.

I actually know three or four people who go by completely different names than the ones their birth certificate lists. Most will assume its your middle name. I know a kid named [name]Michael[/name] ______ the Third, and he goes by [name]Eddie[/name]. Everyone assumed his middle name leads to [name]Eddie[/name] ([name]Edward[/name], [name]Frederick[/name], etc.), but when it was revealed his middle was actually [name]John[/name], life went on as normal and no one ever questions it.

We never use student I.D.s where I live. In fact, most kids I know who go by their middle or another name even get school pictures and their yearbooks with the name they use on it.

When you switch to a new school and there is roll call, when the teacher calls your name just say, “I go by [name]Genevieve[/name]/[name]Stella[/name].” They’ll make a mark on the attendance sheet reminding them that you are called something different.

I’ve told kids from my current school I’m going to go by the name [name]Lucy[/name] next year, and they’ll usually ask why. I just tell them I’ve disliked my name for years and my parents and I have finally agreed on a new name, and if all goes well I’ll change it officially in the next few years. As long as your new name isn’t ridiculous (such as Superman or [name]Apple[/name]), no one will bat an eye, at least in my area.

I should also note that I know several other kids who are taking the jump from middle school to high school or transferring/moving to go by a different name, a middle or a new nickname. [name]Evelyn[/name] to [name]Evie[/name], [name]Alexandrea[/name] to Vo, [name]Elizabeth[/name] to [name]Nicole[/name], [name]Marissa[/name] to [name]Maisie[/name], and more. I doubt anyone would be bullied for going to a different name than the one listed on official records. It’s actually becoming a lot more common nowadays.

  • I also should note that your middle name, [name]Mary[/name], is one of those names that you can do almost anything with. Have you thought of going by [name]Marie[/name], [name]Maisie[/name], [name]Molly[/name], [name]Mae[/name], [name]Maya[/name]/[name]Maja[/name] or [name]Mia[/name]?

I don’t think anyone should have to go through life with a name they hate so I think if you really don’t like it you should change it. I agree with the above posters that it would be difficult to go by a name completely unrelated to your actual names at this point in your life. I think this is hardest when you are in school because of roll call etc. when you are an adult generally you introduce yourself verbally to people long before they would know you legal name. Would you parents allow you to legally change it? I think this would be the easiest way. Otherwise I think [name]Mariella[/name] is your best bet. I think MrsAnton’s suggestion of arranging with the teacher beforehand to call you [name]Genevieve[/name] or [name]Stella[/name] could work though. Maybe you could tell the kids in your class it is you third mn. I hope everything works out for you!

I’m also changing my name. It’s hard deciding on the right one. I was set on [name]Tabitha[/name] for about six months, and now I’m back to square one, so I know what it’s like to hate your name - your given name is so gorgeous however! I’m an [name]Ebony[/name] [name]Eden[/name] puke. I think that changing schools is a great opportunity to introduce yourself with a different name, but as it won’t be legal, the school will still have you down as [name]Eleanor[/name]. Though arranging with teachers to call you [name]Genevieve[/name] or [name]Stella[/name] beforehand may work, there still could be complications. From my experience, I would suggest waiting until you are old enough to legally change your name (if your parents won’t allow you now), before you start introducing yourself with a different name.

[name]Eleanor[/name] is a beautiful and now modern/vintage name. Use the full form or use [name]Nora[/name]. No offense, but this sounds like a very teenaged thing to want to change your name. If it were embarrassing or tacky, maybe I could understand, but not because you want to try something else out.