<p>I really don't like my birth name. I have a 'nickname' that everyone calls me at school, but I really want it to be official. The problem is my parents: they'd be so offended if I 'americanized' my name, and would probably never speak to me again if they found out. But I was thinking, I would hate to have my birth name on a college diploma, are anything for that matter.</p>
<p>It doesn’t seem worth it if your parents will never speak to you again…
Surely you could request a different name on your diploma?
I’m in the same position, although my parents wouldn’t care that much! Try talking to them, they may be more open to the idea than you think. Or at least get used to the idea after a while :)</p>
<p>Well they won’t exactly be speaking to me anyways after I come out with my queerness so idk.
And I don’t know! Don’t diplomas have to have someone’s legal name to be legit?</p>
<p>how bad is it?</p>
<p>How bad is what?</p>
<p>dont be such a self conscious fake, stick with your real name</p>
<p>@antwanmon- …I have actual REASONS for wanting to change my name. Don’t be such a prick.</p>
<p>My cousin, changed her name. Her name used to be Darla and she hated it ever since she was a baby. Now, her name is Anna and she is very happy. I believe you should change your name if you have been debating it over and over again for years because it’s really not worth it to live with a name that you don’t like/doesn’t suit you. My cousin, Anna, has gained so much more confidence after she changed her name. I asked if she had any regrets and the only one she had was changing her name much earlier.
Even if your parents don’t like it, they have to accept the fact they gave you the wrong name. Even if they say no, always remember you can change it when you’re an adult.</p>
<p>Ahhh! I want to change my name too >_< to a more American one. I’ve narrowed it down to either “Viola” or “Tiffany” (I’d probably go with the latter), but with me, too… my parents would be so mad.</p>
<p>If your parents can’t respect your decisions, then what’s the point of having any relationship with them?</p>
<p>Change your name, but only if you have legitimate reasons.</p>
<p>I’d been thinking the same too, but I dont know, it would be weird because even if you dont like your name you get used to it. and then someone calling me other name would be really confusing</p>
<p>Is that you Jam Trousers?</p>
<p>I narrowly avoided your plight. My mother desperately wanted to name me Paysleigh. Thankfully, I was saved by my father.</p>
<p>Honestly, I feel a pretty strong tie to my culture/heritage so its not something that I would <em>personally</em> do. However, it seems like you’ve given this a lot of thought and its not something that you’re doing lightly. Also, given the fact that you already have kind of difficult relations with them, it might not really make a big difference in the end. I hope your parents come around to your point of view, though 
, your situation sounds rather tought.</p>
<p>@yoonyul</p>
<p>Why not Yoona or Yuri?</p>
<p>How about choosing an American first name and moving your birth name to your middle? Or choosing an American middle name and initializing your first name on resumes, business cards, etc?</p>
<p>I really don’t like ANY of my name though :/</p>
<p>If you don’t like your name, change it.
Honestly, it’s your name, and if you feel like it is hurting your confidence or making your life more difficult, change it. Your parents might be mad, but their anger will fade over time. Your hatred of your name will only get worse unless you are successfully able to change your perception of it.</p>
<p>But make sure it is something you’ve been thinking about for a long time (sort of like getting a tattoo). I remember that when I was younger (not TOO young), I used to want to change my name to Locelyn. It was the weirdest phase ever and my family still brings it up. Basically my point is that make sure this isn’t a phase, and it sounds like it isn’t, but only you can be the judge of that.</p>
<p>I say go for the change. Are you sure there is no way you parents will accept it? Is there any chance they might accept a compromise? I know you hate your name, but maybe you and your parents could agree on something like using your ‘nickname’ as your first name and your current legal name as your middle name (lol that’s what I did). You could just leave out or initialize your middle name then.</p>
<p>I would suggest changing your name soon though, because the later you do it, the messier and more complicated it gets (e.g. if you get your high school diploma and it has the wrong name on it).</p>
<p>@Orchid- well I can’t do it now, and i’m sure my parents won’t accept it. Will it be a really big hassle if i did it officially during maybe my third year of college?</p>