Taking a new name before the Church

[PrayForMeStJude]

*I know this isn’t exactly the right forum, but i looked around and didn’t know where this question should go, so i figured maybe someone here would know. *

Is it possible to officially (recognized and noted by the Church) change one’s name? At confirmation I did not take an additional name, as I felt rather close to the saint I am already named after. Since then I have developed a very close spirritual relationship with a saint who I feel has particularily blessed me and to whom I frequently pray.

Is there any way that i could officially cement this patronage by adding another middle name, like is done at confirmation?

Thanks!

 

[FrDavid96]

*I know this isn’t exactly the right forum, but i looked around and didn’t know where this question should go, so i figured maybe someone here would know. *

Is it possible to officially (recognized and noted by the Church) change one’s name? At confirmation I did not take an additional name, as I felt rather close to the saint I am already named after. Since then I have developed a very close spirritual relationship with a saint who I feel has particularily blessed me and to whom I frequently pray.

Is there any way that i could officially cement this patronage by adding another middle name, like is done at confirmation?

Thanks!

Officially no. But here’s why: The Church does not keep any official records of what you call yourself–only official records of Sacramental events. Since you were baptized under a certain name, your baptismal record indicates that event, which is now “in the past” and the past can’t be changed. Same thing with Confirmation in that it records a past event.

There’s no reason why you can’t adopt another “middle name” and use it in any reasonable way, but the Church simply does not keep records of that.

 

[bpbasilphx]

I’m no lawyer, but I was told that English Common Law allows you to call yourself anything you like, as long as there’s no intention to commit fraud.

My driver’s license and other legal documents and medical records are under my secular name.

 

[Dale_M]

I’m no lawyer, but I was told that English Common Law allows you to call yourself anything you like, as long as there’s no intention to commit fraud…

That is true in most states of the US, however, if you use a different name than on your Social Security card it could cause problems with collecting benefits, making payments (which will affect future benefits) and getting tax refunds. And to change your name with Social Security, you will need a court order.
ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=315