While we can’t choose our names from birth, we always have an option to change them later in life. That’s exactly what one eight-year-old girl wants to do after being subjected to teasing at school over her surname. It prompted her mum to seek public opinion on whether she should change her daughter’s name for her daughter’s sake or leave it how it is.
Taking to Reddit, she said: “I have an eight-year-old daughter and our last name is Dick. My husband said he was teased a lot as a kid and would like to change her last name. We are thinking of changing it to my maiden name which is more like Smith. Is there anything that I should think of? I will hire a family attorney to help me legally change it (both parents agree) and get a new social security number and passport for her.”
That’s not all – as the mum is also considering sending her daughter to a child psychologist to help her process the issued it caused her at school.
She added: “She thankfully has only been teased a few times and doesn’t seem to be bothered by it which makes me worry she isn’t going to want to change it – but we both feel strongly it will be a good decision in the long run.
“Was thinking soft launch of her new name in the summer and then tell the school to make it official in the fall. Any suggestions or thoughts? Looking for advice as I have a pit in my stomach about talking to her.”
Commenting on her dilemma, one user said: “You’d think the parents would have considered it before the birth… Dick is probably a worse surname on a girl compared to a boy.
“My default opinion would be a yes, but maybe ask for your child’s opinion as well. If she agrees to it, consider changing it into something she likes.”
Another user added: “Why would you be considering this now that she is eight? This seems like something you and your husband would have known/been aware of when she was born?”
A third user said: “How guys with the last name Dick can ask their wives to take their name with a straight face is beyond me!”
One more user added: “Not sure you need a psychologist, but your daughter will need a response ready when people ask her about the change at school and any activities she’s in. That’s something to strategise ahead of time.
“She can keep it vague, ‘Just decided to use my mum’s name!’ and ‘Family stuff I’m not super sure about… but I like Smith!’ If she says it’s about being teased or potentially teased the old name will stick!”
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