Why do people change their names?

People decide to change their names for a wide and varied number of reasons, each personal to themselves.

However, some common reasons are:

Even though, when a divorce is finalised, a woman can revert to her maiden name by using her decree absolute, sometimes she may wish to change her name prior to that, upon separation.

People who have been using a different name to that given at birth, want to formalise their change of name on all their records and documents.

Entertainers want to formally use their stage names.

One or both partners in a gay or lesbian relationship wish to share the same surname.

A couple decide to have a double barrelled or hyphenated surname upon marriage.

A person doesn't wish to be found by another party after ending a difficult relationship.

People just don't like their names .

In fact, as long as you are not planning on changing your name for fraudulent or illegal purposes, then it really doesn't matter what the reason is.

You have the right to be known by whatever name you choose.