Mae Cornes
Photo Courtesy of Easy Name Change / Genevieve Dennis
As “Get a Different Name Day” arrives on February 13, Easy Name Change marks the occasion with the launch of its most ambitious research initiative yet: a nationwide survey examining evolving attitudes toward identity and name changes.
What is “Get a Different Name Day?”
“Get a Different Name Day” is a whimsical holiday that encourages people to consider adopting a different name, if only for a day. Created by Ruth and Tom Roy as a lighthearted celebration, it allows individuals to have a little fun and step into the shoes of a new persona by choosing a name that reflects their imagination, interests, or sense of humor.
People can choose a fun name for the day and introduce themselves to friends and family, host a costume party where guests arrive complete with new monikers for themselves, or use social media to adopt a new online alias for 24 hours. For those considering a more permanent change, it is an opportunity to try out a potential new name before taking legal action or pushing through it with the help of name-change companies.
The Changing Face of Identity
Easy Name Change, an Australian technology company founded in 2008, has been leading the way in simplifying the name change process through name change kits and a seamless, advanced process. Its most recent survey, which explores who is changing names and why, reveals interesting patterns in motivations for changing one’s identity.
Marriage remains the primary reason for name changes, accounting for about 60% of all changes, while divorce-related changes make up roughly 25%. Legal name changes constitute around 15% of the total, with gender affirmation emerging as a key trend. It is now the most commonly cited motivation for a legal name change, accounting for roughly 30% of cases in 2024. This is a remarkable statistic, as this category was not statistically significant to be separately surveyed before 2017. Following closely, 21% of applicants seek to formalize names they are already known by.
Emotional Impact of Name Changes
The Easy Name Change survey is more than just numbers; it also takes a holistic approach by highlighting the emotional effects of name changes across different categories. Legal name change respondents report the highest satisfaction, with over 95% feeling happier and more self-assured and 83% experiencing a joyous epiphany about their identity.
Divorced individuals also report favorable outcomes, with 87% feeling happier and 76% more confident after reverting to their former name. Newlyweds, interestingly, show less excitement about their new names, with only half reporting increased happiness or improved sense of identity, citing going through name-changing as part of traditions or obligations.
The survey also shows the persistent gender disparity in name changes, while it is no surprise that 94% of marriage name changes and 97% of divorce name changes are represented by females, it may be surprising to learn that women are nearly 50% more likely than men to change their names legally.
Challenges in the Name Change Process
Despite technological advancements, many still find the traditional name change process overwhelming. The survey indicates that many respondents describe the experience as frustrating, indicating the need for continued innovation. Genevieve Dennis, founder of Easy Name Change, shares, ”Names live independently in the databases of organizations across the nation. Our customers must work through the process of direct notification to each and every company where they hold a record. It’s a burdensome process for everyone, especially anyone trying to navigate it without assistance.”
Genevieve adds, “This year, we heard divorcees loud and clear. The process is overly bureaucratic, restrictive, and drawn out for them. Separated women often have an urgent need to drop their married name, be it for safety reasons or mental health. Women do not feel it’s fair being stuck with a name they hate for months as they await divorce confirmation.“
Easy Name Change’s platform aims to simplify this journey, and it has been doing this for more than 15 years. It turns what could be weeks of paperwork into a task manageable during a lunch break, as its system files through a complex web of requirements from various institutions, adapting quickly to policy changes.
The Importance of Celebrating A Name Change
Easy Name Change celebrates “Get a Different Name Day” with the launch of its comprehensive name change survey. The company and its survey are crucial in understanding and influencing name change decisions by providing valuable data on current trends and attitudes.
The survey also helps improve services and advocate for smoother legal processes by giving importance to the emotional impact of name changes and laying out the challenges people face during the process. Operating in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K., Easy Name Change assists people in finding or reaffirming their identities, while shaving weeks off the process.