What’s in a Name—And What Happens When You Change It?
Can changing your name change your life? For many people, it can—and it does. A name is one of the most fundamental pieces of our identity, but it also serves as a social signal. It can suggest ethnicity, religion, gender, class, or nationality. It can be a bridge—or a barrier.
In the previous chapter, we explored how names affect perception and opportunity, backed by studies showing that certain names invite bias in hiring, education, and everyday interactions. But what happens when someone chooses to alter their name? What does that change signify—not just about how others perceive them, but about how they see themselves?
This chapter takes a closer look at real examples—famous, historical, and contemporary—of people who have changed their names for different reasons. Some sought simplicity. Others wanted to fit in. Some were motivated by safety, others by branding. But in every case, the name change carried personal weight and reflected a deeper truth about how names shape identity and perception.
Names as Strategy: Shortening, Simplifying, and Rebranding
In the world of entertainment, where branding and memorability can make or break a career, name changes are almost expected. Think about it: Would Caryn Johnson have made the same impact as Whoopi Goldberg? Would Reginald Dwight have lit up stadiums the same way as Elton John?
These changes are often about clarity and punch. A unique, easy-to-pronounce name helps audiences remember, repeat, and relate to a public figure. That’s why Stefani Germanotta became Lady Gaga, and Peter Gene Hernandez reinvented himself as Bruno Mars. The name isn’t just a label—it’s part of the persona.
Even in less flashy professions, simplification matters. Many people with names that are regularly mispronounced at work find themselves exhausted by constant corrections. Over time, they may adopt a nickname or anglicized version of their name—Ajay becomes Jay, Shu-Wen becomes Wendy, Nguyen becomes Win. These changes aren’t always about rejecting one’s culture; often, they’re about navigating daily life with less friction.
As one professional once shared in a viral LinkedIn post: “After three years of correcting every email, every meeting, every coffee shop order—I gave up. My name is still the same in my heart. But I’m tired.”
When Names Hide: Discrimination, Assimilation, and Survival
Not all name changes are about marketability. Many are rooted in deeper, more painful reasons: to avoid discrimination, to pass as something safer, or to erase a part of identity that others might use against them.
In the early 20th century, a wave of Jewish immigrants to the United States changed their names in hopes of blending in with the broader population. Some did it voluntarily, others were forced by immigration officials or pressured by employers. Jacob Gershowitz became George Gershwin. Issur Danielovitch became Kirk Douglas. Winona Horowitz is better known today as Winona Ryder.
These changes weren’t just aesthetic—they were shields. At a time when anti-Semitism shaped hiring practices, housing access, and education opportunities, a “less Jewish-sounding” name could be the difference between getting in the door and being shut out.
African American performers and professionals have made similar decisions in response to racism. Born Marion Morrison, actor John Wayne took on a name that sounded rugged and all-American, in keeping with his on-screen persona. In contrast, singer Prince famously abandoned his birth name, then his stage name, then became a symbol, in an effort to reclaim ownership of his identity from a controlling record label.
For Asian Americans, name changes have also been common. During the 20th century, some Chinese and Japanese immigrants chose Anglo names to avoid xenophobic backlash. Even today, many Asian professionals feel pressure to adopt names that fit Western expectations, worried that their real names might be seen as “too foreign,” “too hard,” or even “too risky.”
These aren’t just anecdotes—they reflect the long tail of studies like Bertrand and Mullainathan’s 2004 resume experiment, where names perceived as “ethnic” were shown to receive fewer callbacks than white-sounding names. When your name can lead to fewer opportunities, changing it becomes more than a choice—it can feel like survival.
Gender Identity and the Power of Choosing a Name
For transgender and non-binary individuals, changing a name can be a profound act of self-determination. It’s not about branding or simplification—it’s about aligning outward identity with inner truth.
Research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health (Russell et al., 2018) found that transgender youth who were able to use their chosen names in everyday settings—at school, at work, and with family—reported significantly lower rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety. Simply put, being recognized by the name that reflects your gender identity has real and measurable impacts on mental health.
Examples abound. Laverne Cox, the Emmy-nominated actress and advocate, changed her name early in her transition to reflect her new identity and to distance herself from a past that no longer fit. Elliot Page, known for roles in “Juno” and “The Umbrella Academy,” publicly came out as transgender in 2020 and adopted a new name as part of his journey.
For many, choosing a name is not about hiding but about finally being seen. It’s an act of courage, visibility, and reclamation.
Marriage, Divorce, and Reclaiming Identity
Traditionally, many women have taken their spouse’s surname after marriage—a practice rooted in patriarchal customs where a woman was seen as joining (or being absorbed by) her husband’s family. Today, the decision is more nuanced. Some women still adopt their partner’s name, some hyphenate, and others keep their birth names.
What’s changed is the idea that one choice is default. For public figures, the decision can be strategic as well as personal. Author J.K. Rowling used her initials in part to obscure her gender in a male-dominated literary world. Others, like Hillary Rodham Clinton, have navigated different name configurations over time to reflect evolving roles and public perceptions.
After divorce, name changes can be just as symbolic. Some choose to keep their married names for the sake of shared identity with children. Others see reclaiming their birth names as a form of independence. For some, it’s about starting fresh—breaking from a chapter of life that no longer defines them.
Reclaiming Cultural Names After Erasure
Not all name changes are toward simplicity or assimilation. In recent years, a growing number of people have chosen to reclaim original names that were lost, erased, or replaced by colonial, religious, or institutional pressures.
Take, for instance, Indigenous peoples in North America. During the 19th and 20th centuries, children were sent to boarding schools where they were stripped of their native names and forced to adopt English ones. Now, many are reclaiming their ancestral names as part of a broader movement to revive language and culture. This isn’t just a return to a name—it’s a restoration of identity.
In African American communities, Afrocentric naming practices have become a way to resist Eurocentric norms and honor African heritage. Names like Imani, Malik, and Asha reflect both cultural pride and a conscious break from the legacy of enslavement, where enslaved people were denied the right to their own names.
This process is deeply personal. It’s not about rejecting one’s upbringing but about restoring something that was taken. It’s a way of saying: I get to define who I am, not history, not institutions, and not anyone else.
Conclusion: The Story Behind the Name
When someone changes their name, they aren’t just picking new syllables—they’re telling a story. Sometimes it’s a story of reinvention, sometimes of survival, sometimes of truth-telling. The decision to change a name might stem from a need for safety, a desire for success, or a journey toward authenticity.
Each story is unique, but they all share a common thread: names are never neutral. They carry histories, expectations, and meanings. And changing a name is never just cosmetic—it’s a deeply human act of claiming identity and agency.
So the next time you meet someone who tells you they’ve changed their name, don’t ask, “Why?” Ask instead: “What does it mean to you?” Because behind every name—old or new—is a person defining themselves on their own terms.
References:
- Bertrand, M., & Mullainathan, S. (2004). Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal? American Economic Review. Link
Russell, S. T., Pollitt, A. M., Li, G., & Grossman, A. H. (2018). Chosen Name Use Is Linked to Reduced Depressive Symptoms, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicidal Behavior among Transgender Youth. Journal of Adolescent Health. Link
