I want to change my real name. Need input.

[chaska]

On edit: I'm not talking about the legal issues. I'm wondering how to choose a name.

I hate my real name. I'm much too cool, weird, unusual, dramatic, talented, creative, gifted, all while appearing to be fairly conservative to bear the cross that is the name of 'Gene'.

I went a little crazy a few years ago after a bad breakup and went and lived for a brief time in a commune. In that community it is common to change one's name. I found the name 'chaska' in a list somewhere and tried to make it fit. But it's been several years and I've never once used the name in public, and I don't really think it suits me anyway. I think something a little unusual but not strange would be good for me.

I'm not sure if I'm asking for suggestions here. I think you have to know someone to do that. I guess I'm just looking for pointers on how one would undertake such a task.

It's weird, I know, but I really feel the need to start life over after this election shite. I feel like I've died and am waiting it out in purgatory till I get my act together. Definitely in some sort of cocoon phase.

Any recommendations on how to proceed?

[trotsky]

1. It's really easy.

You will need an original copy of your birth certificate, and will likely need to appear before a judge with 2 witnesses who will not benefit in any way from your name change.

At least that was the way it was here in Minnesota (where we have a town named Chaska - that wouldn't be where you got it from, would it?).

[chaska]

7. Nah, I'm from SC. What other state could a Gene come from?

[trotsky]

8. Hey, I knew a Gene from Wisconsin.

So you never know!

[diddlysquat]

2. Call your county courthouse.

They will tell you what you need to do. 14 yrs. ago I changed my last name in Seattle. It cost me $80 and I had to appear before a judge. It was easy.

[Jack Schitt]

3. I want to change my real name to "Spike".

That's it. No middle or last name.

I should seriously do that...

[chaska]

5. That would be truly bitchin'. Seriously.

[Jack Schitt]

6. It'd be sweet.

[Nimrod]

4. Get a book of baby names

Run you about three bucks. There are also about a million baby naming sites out there. These will all let you see the meaning of the names and their nation of origin - if you're looking to redefine yourself, this would be good knowledge to have.

Be patient, and if you're not sure about a particular name, that means it's not for you. The right one will be recognizable immediately.

[chaska]

9. Maybe I'll try that. I want to find a name to fit me, rather than...

trying to fit myself to a name. Problem is, I'm so darned differnt. I don't think I've ever heard a name that would work for me.

[Nimrod]

12. ::grins::

Hell, my birth name would sound perfect with either the word "Big" or "Old" in front of it. I'm a hippie from a long proud tradition of hillbillies. :)

Another nice thing about the baby naming books is they usually list variations of each name. "Tom" might be boring, but it will also list out "Thomas", "Thom", "Tomas", "Toman", "Tomaste" etc. I have one I use for writing and it has 29 variations of "John".

When you hit upon the right one, it'll jump right out at you.

[chaska]

14. Hmm. Ptomaine..., as in ptomaine poisoning. I like it.

[underpants]

10. Some suggestions

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1966471&mesg_id=1966471

[chaska]

11. A veritable treasure trove!!!

[skygazer]

13. Pretend you are your new pet

And you are trying to figure out a name for said pet. Sounds silly but it's the first thing I thought of. We tend to get creative when we name our pets - maybe you'd be inspired by looking at it a little differently. Especially if you're a little different yourself. :hi:

[chaska]

15. Bear... Wolf... [snicker] nobody'd buy that. I did consider 'Rover'.

[chaska]

16. THAT'S IT!!! Rover Ptomaine. Done???

I'll sleep on it.

[jdots]

17. SHECKY is making a come back soon

[chaska]

18. Rover "Shecky" Ptomaine. Even better!