Would You Change Your First Name After 38 Years?

I think Brian fits you much better than Shane. I would not change my name because its an allright normal name. Carol Christine. If i had a name like Gertrude (not saying that is bad just not one I like) I might change it.My oldest son Danny had a different daddy than his brothers but he was raised by his brothers daddy and always used the same last name. So, Now that he is an adult he wants to change his last name to the same as ours. I told him that it his choice.

I have never legally changed my name. I have only changed my names for pen names or whathaveyou. However, I do know someone who changed his entire name. He changed his first name, gave himself a middle name and added a bit to double-barrel his last name. I understood his reasons for changing his first name, they were similar to yours, i.e. he was teased for having what was really and old fashioned name (although he changed it to another old fashioned name and his original name is coming back a bit now!). Anyway, he would have been about 20 when he did that so a little younger than you. I don't see too much wrong with being called Brian or Shane actually except that they are both getting a bit "boybandy". I think Shane is perhaps a younger name. I think if you really hate your name or if it's troubling you or, as in the case of my friend, you feel that your name is a negative link to the past and you might want to change it to start anew then go for it. The only thing, as you say, is the cost involved. And, of course, telling anyone you want to know that you've changed it and people getting used to it, especially parents and other family.

I've never liked my first name, Linda, but I wouldn't change it as it seems to suit me. I did have a phase of calling myself Lin but it didn't last. Luckily, my dad gave me two middle names, luckily the registrar told him one of the original names he chose didn't flow with the others, so I didn't get an embarrassing middle name. My brother did, my mum came up with Garner, it was meant to be his first name but dad decided he preferred Vincent, I think my brother has always been grateful for that. I had an Uncle Brian and he was one of the nicest, happiest people you could meet, so be proud of the name. I think Shane is a bit 'girly', sorry. Brian is a good strong name so be proud of it. Having taken a good look at your photo, I think Alan suits you. But Brian suits better.

You can call yourself anything and not have to do anything legal to change it. Just use your middle namer instead of your first name and let all your family, friends and acquaintances know that you are now using the name ...xxxxx. I don't like my first name and would rather use my middle name but I have a weird family. I told them I preferred the short form of my name about 3 years ago (I'm now 56) and the only person who remembers to do this is my 96 year old Dad.

Shane is kinda new and adventurous to me, Brian is a neutral name and I don't see any issue about it at all if you select if as your name. About the question of changing names, well I don't think that I would like the idea of changing my name even if my name is really long. I don't like hassles of changing my passport, birth certificate , bank accounts just for the sake of not feeling that the name would give me something. If that is the name given by my parents, I would honor it and be thankful about it. Besides, thats what my friends call me and they would also be thinking of the reason why should I be changing my name, I am not wanted by the police. That is my opinion. But if you think that changing name is easy in your country, then do so. I think nobody is going to hold you for that matter. Happy Mylotting.

I love my family and my grand pa most for keeping such a good name. actually a sort of family meeting was arranged and then many names were proposed, but my grandpa selected one name out all. And I love my name, so whatever happens i will not change it in future.

How about making that name Brian more popular and likable by attaining an achievement and settle your score with that name and winning over it?Well this is what came to my mind immediately as I read your discussion.Hope you won't mind my friend.

Brian is really a nice name, wolfie, and I find nothing wrong with it. Having said that, though, I went through a phase where I hated my first name, I guess because it was so unusual and no one else among my peers had a name like mine. I thought that the name made me stand out, which was the last thing I wanted.I did eventually come around to liking my name because it was who I am. Many people are dissatisfied with the name they were given, and, yes, some even go so far as to legally change their names. Although my name is far from traditional I do prefer traditional names. I don't think that parents deliberately set out to embarrass their children when they choose a name for them, but I have found myself wondering sometimes, "What could the parents have been thinking when they named a child that?" I'm glad that you succeeded in changing your middle name since it was so uncomfortable for you, and I really like the name Brian.

Hey wolfie! I like the name Brian! It's not bad! It could be worse! I do like the name Shane too! I hate my first name and my middle name even more! I'll explain- My first name is Leslie, which I totally hate with a passion! But, most people seem to not like their own first name! My middle name is Sue-not Susan, which I could deal with, but Sue! How cruel is my Mother? Her name is Rhoda, so she really got screwed! See, things can always be worse! I always wanted to change my name, but it was too much trouble and I couldn't afford the attorney/solicitor! So I am still Leslie, damn it!

I think Brian is a lovely name. Think about the name Shane though. I really like that name too, but, if you were called Shane the kids could have teased you with 'Shame'...... Who knows. I know how you feel, though, because after 9 years of not using my dads last name I finally had it changed legally over 20 years ago. Brian is a great name and so is Shane. Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija

Hey wolfie34 or should I say Brian? LOL I didn't like my name much when I was at school. I hated being called Melanie by my parents and so they called me Melly because I liked that but then I was called Smelly Melly from time to time if people thought they would get away with they would call me it, very few did!! LOL I am not bothered these days and usually go by the name of Mel. My middle name is Ann which is french for donkey - and you thought you had it bad!! So what was your middle name, you didn't say!! LOL X

How i wish that changing my name would be that easy then. LOL ! here in our country we have to pay big amount to change a name, it needs a lot of requirements to comply before i can totally change my name now. LOL but anyway, i have to stick on what my parents give to me then.

Here is the meaning for the name Brian: "The boy's name Brian \b-rian\ is pronounced BRY-en. It is of Celtic, Irish and Gaelic origin, and its meaning is "high, noble". Could also mean "strength". Historical: Brian Boru (10th century) was a warrior who became high king of Ireland and one of its greatest national heroes. He liberated the country from the Danes in 1014. Actor Brian Dennehy; film director Brian De Palma. Brian has 14 variant forms: Brain, Bri, Briano, Briant, Brien, Brion, Bryan, Bryant, Bryent, Brye, Bryen, Bryent, Bryon and O'Brien." The above information on the name "Brian" came from: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Brian "Now here is the meaning for the name Shane: The boy's name Shane \sh(a)-ne\, also used as girl's name Shane, is pronounced shayn. Variant of Sean (Irish), from John (Hebrew) "the Lord is gracious". Popular in the 1950s and 1960s due to the film "Shane". See also Shawn. Screenwriter Shane Black." "Shane has 3 variant forms: Shaine, Shayn and Shayne." The above information on the name "Shane" came from: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Shane -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think both names have a nice sound and they both have good meanings. I think it is a matter of personal preference. If you are bothered by the way everyone spells your name, why not maybe spell it different like "Bryan." If you want to change your name, I don't think it matters how long you have had it, I think you should give it a try. Maybe before you make it legal, you would like to take a test run with "Shane." I do hope that people don't get confused thought and call you "Shame." There's always someone out there that can butcher a name no matter what it is. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the meantime, my mother named me and my sisters all rhyming names. It used to really confuse my dad as to which kid he was trying to pick out and talk to. He would just run through all our names until one sounded good. I guess not matter what, you are you and that is what is most important. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love my family and my grand pa most for keeping such a good name. actually a sort of family meeting was arranged and then many names were proposed, but my grandpa selected one name out all. And I love my name, so whatever happens i will not change it in future. My name is my identity and i am happy with it.

Brian is such a nice name.

I like both of those names. I would not change my name after all those years. It is really a great name actualy. If I had a name that was just horrid then I might think about it....now you have me thinking of names that I would change. lol

I like the name Brian. But since you do not care for it, you might ask people to address you by your middle name. The one you do like. I know a lot of people who are called by their middle name because their first name is the same as their parent. I knew one gentleman for over 5 years before I realized he had a first name. I always called him by the name he had given me which turned out to be his middle name.

Hello wolfie. I won't change my any of my names as it is nothing but a name for me to call me and know whom I am. It is ok with my name. Though I complained it to my father when I was young, I accept it. If one really wants to change his name, it is a great trouble for so many formalities to go through. So I won't change my name. hehe

I haven't changed either of my Christian names - but my middle name doesn't worry me, as hardly anyone knows it (it's Elizabeth) - and they rarely use my first name either, as I have quite a few nicknames. When we were expecting our first baby, I was sure we were having a boy, and I wanted to call him Sebastian. Our daughter still laughs about the name she nearly ended up with, and said she would have killed me! Fortunately, all four of our children say they are happy with the names we chose for them. My Mum always said you should choose your children's names assuming they might be Prime Minister/President one day - which is a funny way of looking at it, but probably wise! I always think of you as Wolfie ... can't imagine you being either a Brian OR a Shane!

I would not change my name after many years becuase first of all, I love my name. Second, it would really cost a lot of money. I think the name Brian is a nice name. I have a few friends whose names are Brian. It's a common name though. What is your middle name? Having a strange name is quite funny but it's not really that bad. It's not your fault to have a name like that. You should be proud of your unique name.