Changing your first name for the legal profession? Forum

[justonemoregame]

Let's say your name is Ricky. Or Timmy. Are you going with Richard/Tim in law school? Is a large law firm going to take an Alan over a Bobby every day and twice on Sundee?

What about Harley? Woud you go with Charles or just something else altogether?

[maggielizer]

I doubt it matters much. That said I have a very common female name (think Sara, Emily, etc.) that's pretty "professional" sounding. If my name were Destinee I might consider going by my initials or something. But I don't think going by your nickname is going to hurt you at all.

Never realized Harley was short for Charles, though.

[BigEasTTT]

I changed my name....or rather, gave myself a nickname.

After watching freakonomics and reading a book on the subject, I almost felt it was necessary. I feel the merit of your work will be the larger factor for employment; nevertheless, if two applicants with similar resumes (Tyrone v. Bradley) apply for the same position I feel Brad gets the first shot at the job over Ty. FWIW The POTUS went by Barry instead of Barack which gives me the impression that he felt similar regarding the name situation.

BTW I'm a URM and non-URMs boomers love my anglo nickname- makes me seem more like them.

[reverendt]

A firm is going to know you based on the name on your resume. Thus, while most friends and family call me Tony, I showed up at my interviews as "Anthony."

Professionally, people call me whichever they prefer (my one partner calls me Tony and the other calls me Anthony....which is fine with me).

[vulpixie]

I know a couple who named their kids "Hrothgar" and "Couture." Imagine those on a resume.

[nickb285]

.

[justonemoregame]

I read freakonomics, I think that's what has me freaked out. And I'm not even sure I like my name's alternatives.

If you could change your first name for law school, what would you change it to?

[KingFish]

A stranger once told me that "I'm going places" after he read my full name. I have 3 first names, and they're all pretty white.

[09042014]

Let's say your name is Ricky. Or Timmy. Are you going with Richard/Tim in law school? Is a large law firm going to take an Alan over a Bobby every day and twice on Sundee?

What about Harley? Woud you go with Charles or just something else altogether?

Nobody is named Ricky and Timmy, those are nick names. Bobby's real name is Robert, and he can go by Rob, Bob or Robert.

[Ruxin1]

I read freakonomics, I think that's what has me freaked out. And I'm not even sure I like my name's alternatives.

If you could change your first name for law school, what would you change it to?

Freakonomics was mostly proved wrong. HTH.

[cooldude87]

changing your name is pathetic, you should be ashamed

[ookoshi]

Nobody is named Ricky and Timmy, those are nick names. Bobby's real name is Robert, and he can go by Rob, Bob or Robert.

Not always. I know some families that have the philosophy, "You should christen them what you're going to call them." So, their legal names are in fact the nickname version of normal names.

Of course, I'm from the south, so ymmv.

[09042014]

changing your name is pathetic, you should be ashamed

If you name isn't pronounceable in English, you need to pick a new one.

[09042014]

Nobody is named Ricky and Timmy, those are nick names. Bobby's real name is Robert, and he can go by Rob, Bob or Robert.

Not always. I know some families that have the philosophy, "You should christen them what you're going to call them." So, their legal names are in fact the nickname version of normal names.

Of course, I'm from the south, so ymmv.

Fucking redneck traitors.

[eric922]

Nobody is named Ricky and Timmy, those are nick names. Bobby's real name is Robert, and he can go by Rob, Bob or Robert.

Not always. I know some families that have the philosophy, "You should christen them what you're going to call them." So, their legal names are in fact the nickname version of normal names.

Of course, I'm from the south, so ymmv.

If you give your kid the legal name of Bobby, Timmy, *insert horrible girl's name here, because I'm drawing a blank* you should have said child taken away, because that's just cruel.

[rad lulz]

I know a couple who named their kids "Hrothgar" and "Couture." Imagine those on a resume.

People who tend to like Beowulf a lot I find also tend not to be super into couture

[Ramsey]

Great thread!

I have a long Asian first name and plan to adopt my soon-to-be husband's anglo-sounding last name (think: Nahoko Fitzgerald, Yueliang Wilson, Jung Hee Smith, etc.). I am a bit worried because my future employers can probably figure out from my name that I must be married (I have mild accents, so they can rule out the possibility that I am adopted, which leaves marriage as the only viable explanation) and I heard that there exists subtle discrimination against married women.

I've been advised to adopt an American name after I came to the States (in high school), but never felt the need. I also thought it would be weirder for someone who is clearly not from the States to have a typical American name. Now, however, the job market worries me, freakonomics is convincing, and I'd rather be over-prepared. Any thought?

[justonemoregame]

That there are people who don't believe Bobby/Timmy/Rusty/Randy are actual given legal names is why I want to change mine. I think I'm going with Alastair.

[justonemoregame]

I read freakonomics, I think that's what has me freaked out. And I'm not even sure I like my name's alternatives.

If you could change your first name for law school, what would you change it to?

Freakonomics was mostly proved wrong. HTH.

Mostly doesn't cut it. HTH

[nickb285]

.

[Aqualibrium]

My name really can't be pronounced properly by native English speakers, so I bastardized it for their sakes when I first got to this country at 9 years old. I like my name, I like what it means, but even the kinder friendlier version is starting to get on my nerves; there is no pronunciation problem anymore, but I get so freaking annoyed every time I have to meet a new person because everyone acts like it's so hard! My name is phonetic, but I've gone through the trouble of shortening it and pronouncing it like a normal English word and I still have to dread introductions, dread making phone calls, dread having someone who doesn't know me call me. I'm out of law school and working already and honestly the biggest thing I regret at this point in my career is not adopting an English nickname...too late now.

[eric922]

That there are people who don't believe Bobby/Timmy/Rusty/Randy are actual given legal names is why I want to change mine. I think I'm going with Alastair.

I dare you to change your middle name to Crowley. Actually, that'd be kind of awesome. If I was a partner I'd hire you just so I could say Alistar Crowley works for my law firm.

[justonemoregame]

Maybe I can poll TLS on the most-hirable first name/middle name combo. If I do change my name, I might as well go with something bad-ass for the middle name, since I don't have to post that up on the resume. Artimus. Lysander.

[rad lulz]

Maybe I can poll TLS on the most-hirable first name/middle name combo. If I do change my name, I might as well go with something bad-ass for the middle name, since I don't have to post that up on the resume. Artimus. Lysander.

lol Artemis is a Greek goddess

[eric922]

Maybe I can poll TLS on the most-hirable first name/middle name combo. If I do change my name, I might as well go with something bad-ass for the middle name, since I don't have to post that up on the resume. Artimus. Lysander.

lol Artemis is a Greek goddess

Goddess of the hunt, moon and witchcraft. I'd say that's pretty badass.