For What Reasons Can You Have a Name Change?
The name on a person's birth certificate might not necessarily be the same name that he carries throughout the course of his life. As people grow as individuals and "find" themselves, there are several reasons why they may choose to legally change their birth names. Name changes are commonly done for career purposes and for those looking for a fresh start, among other reasons.
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Marriage/Divorce
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A common reason as to why people change their name involves marriage and divorce. In the event of marriage, it's common for a woman to take the last name of her new husband, either by dropping her surname altogether or by combining her current surname with the surname of her new husband. Divorce is also a common reason for name change, specifically for women who changed their last name upon their marriage. In a divorce, especially in an acrimonious split, it's common for women to change their last names back to their original surnames as a way to move past the situation.
Immigration
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A name change can be made to signify a fresh start. For example, according to Lawyer-Legal-Attorney, many people will change their names upon immigrating to the United States, especially those who have non-American-sounding names. Adjusting names in order to sound more American can help people more easily adjust to life in a new country. For immigrants, name changes can be made when they apply for naturalization. Name changes will become official when the federal court passes the naturalization application.
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Career
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According to MSNBC.com's report "Like It or Not, Name Can Impact Your Career," a common reason for name change is to better one's professional life. The report states that hiring managers only tend to seek out "mainstream" applicants and stay away from unique names, regardless of the qualifications. Additionally, actors and actresses in the film industry are likely to change their names so that they're easily recognizable. For instance, actor Tom Cruise was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV (see Resources).
Spite
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Another reason for a name change is out of spite or anger toward one's family or one's family members. For example, an individual might choose to change his surnames if his biological father left him and the individual subsequently deems him undeserving of having his family name passed on. Similarly, individuals might choose to change their surnames if their parents were abusive or if they were admitted into foster care as children. This can help heal old wounds and give people a fresh start.
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