Wow oh wow, I was shocked but not shocked.

[SummerSnow]

Tonight, my daughter came to me and told me she wanted to change her name ..legally of course. She downloaded the form and had the money to do so. She told that she no longer wanted to carry the name of her aunt who has shown she doesn't love her and has shown for years her disregard for others. She said she thought long and hard about it and her decision was final. She asked me how did I feel about it.I told her it was a very big decision and I felt she made a huge step in maturity. Truthfully, I regretted naming her after this relative. My daughter told me she needed to know how I felt cause I gave her that name and she didn't want to hurt me. She said being named after someone should be an honor not shame or resentful.I told her she's an adult now and I was very proud of her. It'll turn heads and will be the family water cooler topic for years to come. Oh well.

[edgineered]

1. You did the right thing.

As far as the others though, I could never know.

[Delmette]

2. Good for her!

One of my sons wanted to take my family's name. I was honored and respected his wish. My parents even came to the court hearing.

I truely believe that we should be allowed and supported to change any or all of our name if it doesn't fit who we are as an individual.

[Laffy Kat]

3. I say good for her. I Legally changed my last name at 23 years-old.

I found it to be therapeutic and have no regrets. My parents didn't like it although they didn't mind my sister changing her name when she married.

[Terra Alta]

4. I don't blame her for wanting to change her name.

You are doing the right thing by supporting her. Her aunt should be ashamed.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. I told both my sons that they could change their first names

when they reached 21, if they so desired.
I was given a first name that I dislike and came to detest, but had no option to change early in life.
I always felt my kids should have that option.

[JDPriestly]

6. We only gave our children one first name each. And then we told them that if they want to add

a middle name and use it, they are welcome to do so. They are themselves. They have to decide who they are. We tried to choose good names, but children should be free to pick their own name when they wish.

My mother absolutely hated her name.

[IrishAyes]

7. I love my own name because it's the same as an early feminist & the feminine version of Dad's name;

but I support everyone's freedom to choose. In some worldwide cultures this is the norm. Even as a little girl, I always knew exactly what I'd name a son if I ever had one. Which I did. Fortunately he liked it too. Plain, simple, easy to spell. Utterly classic.

Not having grandkids I've had to exercise my penchant for naming on various dogs over the years. They don't get a choice in the matter, except I do try to watch and 'listen' 8 days first, then hope I guess right. I think they come to us already having names of their own.

[Moonwalk]

8. Did you like your daughter's choice of new name?

Just curious, as you're going to be calling her by that name from now on. Do you feel it's more her than her aunt's name ever was?

[SummerSnow]

11. I love the name she chose. She renamed herself after my great grandmother.She was a good woman.

She use to feed homeless children in the 1800's and opened her home to families traveling passing through who needed a rest .

[ProgressiveJarhead]

9. It Can Be Done Easily For Marriage

I took my wife's last name because she did't care for mine, and hyphenating looks silly IMO. I didn't give it much thought at the time. Being lily white with an old Spanish name is interesting. The marriage certificate is all it took, but I changed it legally too. If your daughter has a passport, it should be changed early on along with the SS card.

[defacto7]

10. Sounds like your daughter

has a strong sense of responsibility and morality. She seems to do what needs to be done and does it respectfully. The world need more of that.