I have changed my last name from Grossman to Morrisson.
I’ve never felt connected to the name Grossman, or even to the concept of having more than one name. I’m Nick or Nicolai, no need to get fancy. But since a) I’d feel like a complete tool trying to pull a Prince, Madonna, or Christo, and b) sometimes more specificity is needed, so I need something back there. I also didn’t want to randomly make something up, because I would face the near-impossible task of equaling Cramps singer Lux Interior’s name.
I’m a half Dane, half [cultural] Jew. The traditional Scandinavian naming convention is to use patronyms, about which Wikipedia says:
A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one’s father. A component of a name based on the name of one’s mother is a matronymic, or matronym. Both are means to convey lineage.
In many areas patronymics predate the use of surnames. They, along with the less common matronymics, are still used in Iceland, where few people have surnames. For example, the son of Pétur Marteinsson would have a different last name – Pétursson,
Many Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Spanish, Slavic, Manx, English, and Scandinavian surnames originate from patronymics, e.g. Wilson (son of William), Powell (ap Hywel), Fernández (of Fernando), Carlsson (son of Carl, e.g., Erik Carlsson)…
My father’s name was Morris, and I’m his son, so Morrisson it is. I reckon that’s a good way to stay connected to both sides of my family: a name from my father and a naming construction from my mother. It finally feels right, so I’m going with it.
WTG! Congratulations, Mr. Morrisson! I raise a glass to your new name, and the end of an old name via the resurrection of old ways.
Congratulations!
I made a subtle change to my name a couple of years ago, and really enjoy it. When I started to head out on international trips the name change came back to bite me, and I now use both… but eventually I will get the proper court documents filed and the change will stick and be permanent.
There’s something very satisfying about choosing your own name, I expect.
congrats . . .
That explains what happened to the G ;) Please to meet you Mr Morrisson.
Thanks, everyone! I’ve been wanting to change my name since I was little, and it feels good now that I’ve done it.
Try having the last name, Pendelj….what? Yes, it was changed…but I dig the silent j better. I;m changing my name to Beck Silent J…that’s right.
I need to get back to these updates of yours…Chris’s very cool interview with the devil…and more. Until then, peace upon you boy.
Silent J? That rocks!
Both internal and external identity politics are real pigfuckers, aren’t they?
i’m changing my last name to Elbowitz. I can’t believe it’s taken me 32.5 years so come up with that joke.
You slack bastard!
y’all are lucky–my grandfather died 2 months to the day before I was born…his name was Louis Carl Gordon. Mamma was a dady’s girl from the gitgo, so after his death it was Carla Louise or Louise Carla; I don’t know what evil genius reminded her she had an Aunt Sarah on both the maternal and paternal sides of her family…I stand before you as Saralou Gordon, then my maiden name, then the 4 husbands, then the curent husband….
So, for those of you who are or were tortured by your name as a child, believe me, you ain’t the only one!
How great to find this posting – I recently changed my surname, after years of never being comfortable with my old name. I’ve always been a black sheep anyway, I did not want my family to think I was being disrespectful; I still chose a name that’s been in the family, but nonetheless, people will judge you on this. So right on, Mr. Morrisson, I applaud your decision and respect your choice to be the name you choose to be.
Thanks, and congrats to you!