Do you like your given name?

[hipmamajen]

Do you like the name your parents gave you?

I've always hated my name. It's not that it's ugly or anything, it's just that every other girl born in the 70's was named Jennifer, and I got tired of being part of the crowd.

I have a couple of friends who've legally changed their names. I've always said I was going to do that, but I never did and now I wonder how everyone (me, included) would roll with a new name?

So, do you like your name? If so, why? If not, why? Is there a story behind it?

BTW-I'm not asking you to tell us your name if you're not comfortable with it. A lot of folks don't share their names on the internet, and that's OK. I just want to know what you think about it

[Moderator]

I'm not crazy about my last name as the majority of people can neither spell nor pronounce it correctly. It's my ex-husband's name and I always said I'd change it legally when my youngest turned 18. That was 2 years ago but I still haven't done it because it would be such a PITA to change all the legal records, credit cards, etc. etc. As for my first name, I don't hate it but I don't really identify with it either. Kind of hard to explain, but it doesn't feel like ME, just a label I was stuck with. I don't have any other name that has caused any Eureka moment, though, so guess it will be with me until I die.

[Drawn to Ka-tet]

Well, my father wanted to name me Ethel... I was never thrilled with Denise.. It's hard for kids to pronounce. But I have to admit, It's a lot better than Ethel.

I may have it leagally changed to "Mom", since that's what my daughter calls me!

Long days and pleasant nights.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

I've always thought that we should be able to choose our own names when we reach eighteen.

My parents gave me the most common first name in Scotland at the time, so at least it doesn't stand out, and hardly anyone can either pronounce or spell my second name.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Luli]

I love my given names. It's because I never met anyone with the same name, even though there are different variations on how to write it.
Unlike many people I actually use both names, it was never something I planned, it just happens to be so.
I noticed that at work or at school everyone uses my first name, when I meet someone on a professional or academic level I introduce myself using my first name.
When I'm among friends or family I use my second name, and when I meet new people outside of work or school I always introduce myself by my second name.

Now some of my classmates have become very good friends over the years and they too noticed this, so they started calling me Luli, which is a combination of the first two letters of my two names.

My first name is Lijan -- (pronounced: Lee-Ann)
My second name is Luwen (pronounced: Lue-Ann)

Weird huh?

[Luli]

Hi,

I've always thought that we should be able to choose our own names when we reach eighteen.

My parents gave me the most common first name in Scotland at the time, so at least it doesn't stand out, and hardly anyone can either pronounce or spell my second name.

Long days and pleasant nights

Now I'm curious, what is your second name?

[Spideyman]

I'm named in honor of both my grandmothers. Combined their names to make one. Maryann. It's OK.
But the married name is a pain. Many jokes made about it. I'd go back to my maiden name, but as MsMod said it's a PITA to change all the legal stuff, and no could pronounce it anyway. So I just go with "flow" of my last name.

[Peanut Queen]

I'm not crazy about my last name as the majority of people can neither spell nor pronounce it correctly.

I'm the same way. My married last name is ALWAYS pronounced wrong and it drives me crazy. Makes me wish I'd kept my simple-to-spell, easy-to-say, four lettered maiden name!

I used to have my given name because I'd never met another girl with the same name in school. I wanted to be a Sandy or a Jennifer. Now, even though I realize my name is a lot more common than I remembered as a kid, I'm glad not everyone has it.

[hipmamajen]

I love my given names.

Your given names are very pretty

[hipmamajen]

Hi,

I've always thought that we should be able to choose our own names when we reach eighteen.

My parents gave me the most common first name in Scotland at the time, so at least it doesn't stand out, and hardly anyone can either pronounce or spell my second name.

Long days and pleasant nights

Is your last name Doll-gleesh, or did I just kill it?