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Change DS's first name?

post #1 of 28
9/27/10 at 9:33am
Thread Starter 
This is maybe kinda hard to explain, but I have always hated DS's name (just turned 3). Officially it is Ezreal Archer. I LOVE Archer, but did not want it to be his first name cause it too easily becomes Archie which I don't like at all. So for 3 years now he has been Ezzy, a nickname that fits him perfectly. However, every time I have to write his legal name, or whenever I'm asked what Ezzy stands for I completely cringe! His grandparents can barely pronounce it even. It becomes Ezril for my mom who refuses to call him Ezzy. STBX-DH pressured me into naming him when he was 3 days old cause he was sick of calling him "the baby". Being that he had worked at a school for troubled boys there were virtually no names that did not have negative associations for him, so he had come up with Ezreal. I cringed sending out the baby announcements and filling out his birth certificate info, but didn't listen to my gut.
So now we are seriously considering officially changing his name. He will still have the nn Ezzy, but for about the past year we have been telling people who ask that Ezzy is short for Cortez. My husband is hispanic and Ezzy has his last name, so it sounds great together. Ezzy seems to like the name Cortez, too.. although he prefers to be called Ezzy since that is what he's always been called.
So what do you think? Should we go through the red tape to change his name officially to Cortez? Or should I just get over it (I have no idea how to do this) because Ezreal is a better name anyway?


Ronna

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post #2 of 28
9/27/10 at 10:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by suprgrl View Post
This is maybe kinda hard to explain, but I have always hated DS's name (just turned 3). Officially it is Ezreal Archer. I LOVE Archer, but did not want it to be his first name cause it too easily becomes Archie which I don't like at all. So for 3 years now he has been Ezzy, a nickname that fits him perfectly. However, every time I have to write his legal name, or whenever I'm asked what Ezzy stands for I completely cringe! His grandparents can barely pronounce it even. It becomes Ezril for my mom who refuses to call him Ezzy. STBX-DH pressured me into naming him when he was 3 days old cause he was sick of calling him "the baby". Being that he had worked at a school for troubled boys there were virtually no names that did not have negative associations for him, so he had come up with Ezreal. I cringed sending out the baby announcements and filling out his birth certificate info, but didn't listen to my gut.
So now we are seriously considering officially changing his name. He will still have the nn Ezzy, but for about the past year we have been telling people who ask that Ezzy is short for Cortez. My husband is hispanic and Ezzy has his last name, so it sounds great together. Ezzy seems to like the name Cortez, too.. although he prefers to be called Ezzy since that is what he's always been called.
So what do you think? Should we go through the red tape to change his name officially to Cortez? Or should I just get over it (I have no idea how to do this) because Ezreal is a better name anyway?


Ronna
I'd change in a heartbeat, if you hate it as much!
post #3 of 28
9/27/10 at 10:59am
Sure, since everyone seems to be in agreement and ds can keep his nickname.
post #4 of 28
9/27/10 at 11:16am
Sounds like a great compromise!
post #5 of 28
9/27/10 at 3:06pm
Thread Starter 
What do you think of the two names? Really I've become quite neurotic over the last 3 years over this whole name deal.
post #6 of 28
9/27/10 at 3:25pm
Here is what i know about name changing. It's a pain the A$$! I know this because when i got married my plan was to get rid of my middle name and have my maiden name become my middle name. Well I didn't put that new name on my marriage certificate where it says "what do you want your name to be now" basically (which would have been smooth sailing because it was signed on an official document by an official person- the ordained minister). And then it would have been done. So I realized after much confusion that now I was going to have to get a lawyer and pay at least around $300 to get an official signature on an official document to get my name changed. Then of course you have to change EVERYTHING from Social security card to birth certificate to medical records (luckily he is little and doesnt have credit cards and bank accounts). It's doable. But its just ridiculous all the hoops you have to jump through- going to the official state building to get the birth certificate changed (which costs money too) and to then make sure that all documents are filled out properly.

I think Ezreal is cute. What if you left it up to him when got older to change his own name? Although it's not like it will be any easier to do it in the future. So do it if you feel up for it and if you feel like it's worth the money. Good luck deciding!
post #7 of 28
9/27/10 at 3:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by suprgrl View Post
What do you think of the two names? Really I've become quite neurotic over the last 3 years over this whole name deal.
Do it now and don't look back. Cortez Archer is fine. Great. You like it, you all like it, do it before he goes to school and it gets complicated. There WILL be "that" teacher who insists on calling children by their full names.

Good for you for owning up to it and just getting through with it. Good luck!
post #8 of 28
9/27/10 at 4:42pm
How does your stbxh feel about it? If you are both fine with it, then do it asap!
post #9 of 28
9/27/10 at 10:37pm
Since you have already told people that his real name is Cortez, and since you hate Ezreal, then just go ahead and change it. He's only 3 right now, no big deal at this point.

Personally, I like all three names that you have mentioned.
post #10 of 28
9/27/10 at 11:14pm
So, your STBX is on board with it? Then why not? Better now than later.
post #11 of 28
9/27/10 at 11:18pm
Honestly? I don't like the name Ezreal, but I LOVE the name Cortez! Cortez has a bit of adventure to it, while Ezreal...mm...not so much

If everyone's in agreement, and you HATE the name, go for it - he's 3. He'll deal.
post #12 of 28
9/27/10 at 11:32pm
First off, I don't care for Ezreal, either. It makes me think of Azriel, which makes me think of the evil cat from the Smurfs. I do like Cortez.

Secondly, I've changed my name more times than I care to admit, due to marriage, divorce, adoption, and whimsy. It's much more of a PITA as an adult. I changed my first name when I was 15 and it wasn't that much of a hassle. I don't remember the cost being as outrageous as a PP mentioned; actually, I've thought about changing my first name back to my original first name (recently), and when I looked into it it wasn't anywhere near $300. It might depend on what state you do it in.

But really....as a kid you only have to worry about the social security card, birth certificate, doctors records and school records. Not that big of a deal, really. Except for the school records, it's no worse than the paperwork you do when a baby is born.
post #13 of 28
9/28/10 at 12:09am
Thread Starter 
Thank you! I feel encouraged and motivated and no longer like such a freak for wanting to change his name so badly. STBX had a hard time with it at first and thought I should get over it. But now he's on board... seeing how much anguish this has caused me over the years, and how it was impatient of him to pressure me so much for a name on day 3. He REALLY likes Cortez and feels it fits DS better than Ezreal.
Some teen girls at the school I work for told me they think Cortez is a "short grouchy old man name" and they thought the name Ezreal is "hot". But I personally don't like it at all and really like Cortez for him.
I'll get the ball rolling on it. I've already got the forms filled out and have a notary friend to sign them with. Then it's off to the court house. According to the person I talk with there it should cost about $60 of I remember right. It would cost much more if I went through a lawyer.
Thanks for the encouragement and understanding.
post #14 of 28
9/28/10 at 12:26am
When I hear Cortez, I think about the destruction of the Aztec civilization and all the damage colonialism caused. I like Ezreal better
post #15 of 28
9/28/10 at 2:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eepster View Post
When I hear Cortez, I think about the destruction of the Aztec civilization and all the damage colonialism caused. I like Ezreal better
Hmm...I immediately thought of sailing on the gorgeous, florescent, turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez.

Kinda like this: http://www.elvincountry.com/sea-kaya...of-cortez.html

I guess every name can have a good AND bad connotation to it per a simple google. King David or David Koresh; John F. Kennedy or John Wilkes Booth, kwim?

He's being called Ezzy anyway, and you've imbued it with the meaning of who your child is to you.
post #16 of 28
9/28/10 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
The name Cortez actually means courteous... which Cortes the Aztec killer was not. He did not live up to his name.
Maybe my Cortez can put a new image in people's minds when they hear the name.
According to some sources Ezreal is derived from the name of the angel of death. In video game land Ezreal is a super killer. So if I'm soley looking at meaning/connotations I'm scewed regardless.
Cortez is the only name we've found that fits Ezzy and allows him to easily keep his nn Ezzy/Ez. My dad suggested Cortez, actually, and everyone in the room simultaneously felt right about it at that time.
When I was pregnant with him I couldn't find a name that felt right and everyone told me one would come to me when I met him. Well one didn't. I also really was feeling he was a girl....and had a girl's name picked that I LOVED!
Cascadian: The Sea of Cortez looks beautiful!
post #17 of 28
9/28/10 at 9:11am
I think it's important for a name to feel good. If the child's father is okay with the change, and everyone likes it, great. Does your son know about any of this ? Does he know what his legal name is and what you are considering changing it to ? Does he have any feelings about it ? If it was me and the child was 3, I would want to ask him.
post #18 of 28
9/28/10 at 10:59am
Thread Starter 
DS does know. His only concern seems to be that he really wants to be Ezzy. He says he likes Cortez better than Ezreal. But he's Ezzy and that's what he wants to be called
Here's a picture of him
post #19 of 28
9/28/10 at 11:35am
He's darling ! Cortez sounds like a great name then !

I had really strong feelings about our first son's name; DH had very strong feelings about our second son's name. I think it's important to go with those feelings...and I think it's great that you've decided it's not too late
post #20 of 28
9/28/10 at 12:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2xy View Post
First off, I don't care for Ezreal, either. It makes me think of Azriel, which makes me think of the evil cat from the Smurfs.
LOL!!! This was my very first thought!
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