Get a Different Name Day

Get a Different Name Day is celebrated on February 13 every year. Name is a term used for identification. It can be a word or a set of words by which a person, animal or thing is known, mentioned or referred to. The name we have often identifies us. But unfortunately, most of our name is not chosen by us and we happen to live with it even though there are people who like and dislike it. Usually, people are named after their family member, historical figure or any inspired word. Every name is unique, beautiful and diverse. So this day is celebrated to take a break from your usual names and try a new name for the day.

History of Get A Different Name Day

Get a Different Name Day is dedicated to everyone who hates their birth name. According to the day's creators, "On this day, we can change our name to whatever we want and have the right to expect our colleagues, family, and friends to call us that." It seems to be a holiday in which people don't necessarily legally change their names. While today's holiday is for people who change their name because they don't like it, there are many other reasons people convert.

Marriage and divorce are the top reasons why people change their names. Some people change their names because they want to hide something. While a legal name change cannot be done to evade law enforcement or debt, some people change their name just to get a fresh start. Transgender people can change it after switching to the new gender. Some change their name so it sounds less "ethnic", or to make it easier for others to pronounce. On the contrary, some also claim back that they were changed in the past.

Besides being unable to legally change names to evade law enforcement or avoid paying bills, there are other rules that must be followed. In most cases, it is not allowed to change a person's name to that of a famous person, as that is considered misleading. The name cannot be renamed to digits or punctuation. The trademarked name also may not be used, nor may anything offensive or obscene be used.

Changing a person's name is a process: paperwork is filled out and it can include going to court. An attorney is not required, but sometimes there are legal fees. Each state has different regulations on changing a person's name, and costs range from less than $100 to over $1,000.

Legal documents such as marriage certificate, divorce decree or court petition must be obtained first. Name change petitions typically cost between $100 and $200. Forms are filled out and taken to the court clerk, judge, or magistrate who will review them and authorize the name change. Many states do not require petitions, but many financial and government agencies do.

Once legal documentation is obtained, an application must be filed with government agencies such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Internal Revenue Service. After that, the name change should be noted for businesses like banks, credit card companies and utility companies.

People change both their first and last names, legally and informally, and for a multitude of reasons. On Get a Different Name Day, any of these routes can be used to change a person's name. But above all, the day is best celebrated by those who discard a name they hate.

What do you do for Get A Different Name Day

Even if you don't personally buy a new legal name, you can celebrate this happy day anyway. Celebrating this day can incorporate the following ideas:

Throw a party

Think of the various movie stars (or other celebrities) who changed their names, and threw a costume party in their honor, dressing up as favorites. Marilyn Monroe, Jamie Foxx, Madonna, and Elton John were all inspired to change their names. The artist formerly known as Prince is a unique case when his name has been changed to an icon.

Contact a friend

For those who know someone in their life who changed their name because of marriage, adoption, or another reason, it's great to use Name Change Day as an excuse to send them a card or take them out to eat.

Try a new name for fun

The great thing about celebrating this day is that it's not even legally necessary to change the name. Maybe just choose to go by another ride in one day. All it really takes is to ask friends and colleagues to change things up a bit.

Of course, when choosing a new name, you should make sure that it is liked by many people. This can be helpful when before filing a lawsuit you will have the opportunity to try out a new name to see if it is appropriate.

Get a legal name change

Let go out and change your legal name even pay for it. In most countries, a name change is a legal process that needs to be handled in court, but it usually only requires a simple form to file along with a small fee.

How to Choose a New Name

When you consider about changing a new name, everyone asks themselves some questions such as:

• Who am I in my life?
• What has changed about me?
• Do I want a more unique name or a more standard name?
• Do I feel more like Lilith than Susan?
• More Faustus than one Michael?

Maybe some people feel that John Smith is done and they realize that Zaphod Beeblebrox is a more suitable name for them. But sometimes finding a new name can be difficult.

Names can be found from a variety of sources. Choose from a variety of children's books, from a favorite movie or even from a popular fantasy novel. For those who like to play video games, get the name from a favorite character in the game!

So many people can be encouraged in life by acting as role models or guides. Taking inspiration from them when choosing a new name may just be essential to choosing a new name.

Wherever it's found, a new name is the perfect way to celebrate Get a Different Name Day!