I did it, I changed my name

[JayRPG]

Ok, where to start.

Well, last year I made a thread here explaining my wishes to change my name, and I listed 5 names that could be voted on.

Many of you told me I was stupid, many of you told me it would ruin my life (in some pretty crazy ways I might add) but after not getting as much support as I'd hoped from the escapist, I went back to the drawing board (and tumblr) and started a new voting system, with first and last names separate and with a lot more options.

Anyway, I come to you today, not as a regular old common-named person, but as...
Gaius Maxwell

The combination quickly became my favourite, and a favourite of others too.

Both names drawn from the Tales of series of video games:
King Gaius from Tales of Xillia and,
Maxwell, The Lord of Spirits who is a recurring Tales of Character.

So several months ago, I got the paper work together and sent it in and about a month ago I got my new birth certificate in the mail.

Gaius is my absolute favourite character in the Tales series and Maxwell is just an awesome name, I was ecstatic with the combination and still remain very happy with my new name (I'll have a Gaius tattoo to accompany my name soon too)

Let me just start off by saying that, no, I haven't lost my job nor have I needed to find a new one for any reason - I have changed my name with my employer and everyone is aware of the fact, it may be because I work for a company that is known for being a kooky/alternative but I haven't had any bad experiences within my job, most colleagues tell me it's awesome.

I have been using the name normally for about 3 weeks, after I had my I.D and other things changed into my new name and I have to say that so far it's been a relatively uneventful few weeks.

I've only had to spell Gaius once, and that was to an old, decrepit taxi driver and other than that I haven't had any questions, not even while changing my name with my bank or any other place.

I will apologise in advance for the simply deplorable edits and lens flare on these pictures but unfortunately my phone doesn't have great photo editing capabilities.

[http://s859.photobucket.com/user/TheSource1991/media/tumblr_my5i4rnDzt1rhwye5o1_1280_zps754a332a.jpg.html]

[http://s859.photobucket.com/user/TheSource1991/media/tumblr_mypkesut0d1rhwye5o1_1280_zps050ab409.jpg.html]

 

[Queen Michael]

Congrats, mate! I changed my name a while ago, so I know how awesome it is to get it approved. Hooray!

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

I remember you.
That's...not the worst possible outcome that could've came from asking people on the internet what your new name should be, congratulations.

I'm glad everything worked out for you and that you're happy.
[sub]I wouldn't personally ever do it.[/sub]

Edit: If anyone is interested in this story, here's a link to the thread (please don't necro) [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.407494-Changing-my-name-Yes-Im-serious?page=1]

 

[Daystar Clarion]

January 2014 on the Escapist.

The month of peculiar names, or, How to make your future children hate you.

But whatever, it's your name, so feel free to change it to whatever you want. I think it's ridiculous, only a few pegs below Remmington Thunderknife, but whatever floats your boat.


...

...

BRB, changing name to Remmington Thunderknife.

 

[shrekfan246]

In the interest of fairness, Gaius Maxwell is a much more recognizable "socially acceptable" (whatever the bloody blazes that means) name in the general English-speaking consciousness than "Darth Cruxis", "Prince Vegeta", or "Mithos Yggdrasill".

Granted, I don't think your original thread really deserved the ire that it received, nor does any other "Just how wacky is this wacky name after all?" thread. It's funny, really; You'd expect nerds who grew up being bullied because of stupid social standards would want to encourage bucking the trends rather than reinforcing them for a new generation, and bullying the people trying to buck them in the process.

Regardless, congrats mate. I hope your new name serves you well in the future.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Well, I hope for your sake this isn't some passing interest. Because the fact that you so love your new name right now probably means the shine is going to wear off sooner or later. And which point you'll view it without "that new name smell" and maybe wish you had not done something so permanent.

But then I feel the same about people who get tattoos. And they seems fine with their choice, so what do I know.

 

[Eamar]

Huh, I'd just finished reading through your original thread when I found this.

I have to say... good job Gaius Maxwell is much, much better than your original options. I'm all for interesting names, but those just came off as blatant pop culture references, whereas this is both nerdy and scans well as an actual name. Though I imagine the fact that I do Ancient History means that Gaius seems much more "normal" to me than it might to others.

[small]Not going to lie though, part of me is a little disappointed that I'm not addressing this comment to Mithos Yggdrassil or something equally nuts [/small]

EDIT: And I imagine if "Gaius" ever did become problematic or awkward for whatever reason you could always go by Guy.

 

[JoJo]

I liked your original options for the lulz that came with them, but this name actually sounds pretty cool, so congratulations. For me, the idea of changing my name is similar to the idea of getting a tattoo, I like it in theory but in practice I'm too finicky to ever settle of something for long enough to be worth getting it done permanently.

 

[Barbas]

Aye, there's a good, strong Imperial name!

 

[Barbas]

Congratulations. It's a good name. Imperial sounding.

Yes. Yes, it is. Better than the first choices from the linked thread, definitely!

 

[IceForce]

Sounds like you're very pleased with the result.

Congrats, man. Looks like things turned out well.

 

[JayRPG]

[small]Not going to lie though, part of me is a little disappointed that I'm not addressing this comment to Mithos Yggdrassil or something equally nuts [/small]

I still really like that name lol, I still like most of my original names actually, but I was so nearly Mithos Yggdrasill, you have no idea how close.

I just kept coming back to Tales of, Almost every name I ended up REALLY liking and went over well with others was Tales of, and it probably is my favourite series, along with Final Fantasy, so I got to work (and by work I mean one hell of an intense Tales marathon) and found a lot of first and last names.

Frankly, I couldn't be happier with the result.

Well, I hope for your sake this isn't some passing interest. Because the fact that you so love your new name right now probably means the shine is going to wear off sooner or later. And which point you'll view it without "that new name smell" and maybe wish you had not done something so permanent.

But then I feel the same about people who get tattoos. And they seems fine with their choice, so what do I know.

I'm not one to regret previous choices (especially ones that aren't as permanent as some think).

You are speaking to a man with tattoos of: Clow cards from cardcaptors, Vegeta, lightsabers, Sailor Mercury, Mewtwo, Beatrix and Kuja from FF9, a cruxis crystal, saiyan royal emblem and a sith crest on his forearms.. as well as the texts "I am the perfect warrior" and "Allow me to shatter your delusions of grandeur" - and some of these I've had for more than 4 years and I've never once had second thoughts.

People like to "ask" me all the time "what will happen when you're 40 and you don't like these cartoons anymore", and I only ever have one answer (as if they were even looking for one);
If I haven't stopped liking pokemon now after more than 15 years, I'm not ever going to stop liking it.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Is this the replacement for sexism threads? Picking stupid names for you and your children?

If that's the case, why complain? At least this is fun to read. -.-

OT: I was wondering when you would come back. Well, it's better than a lot of the other names you formed on that thread.

Should have changed the last name to Caesar though. You know, for the lols!

 

[Jamash]

Congratulations, now the next step is changing your address.

I don't mean you should move, but just get rid of the number and replace it with a placard bearing the name "Maxwell House".

Spoiler: There are probably some existing logos you could appropriate

By the way, how do you pronounce "Gaius", is it "Gay-us", or "Guy-us"?

Sod it, I'll just call you Mr. Coffee for convenience.

 

[hazabaza1]

It's better than "Mithos Yggdrassil" or "Prince Vegeta" that's for damn sure.

But hey, congrats. Just try to give any kids you have normal sounding names initially, for their sake.

 

[Colour Scientist]

It's better than "Mithos Yggdrassil" or "Prince Vegeta" that's for damn sure.

I'm not so sure, I was kinda rooting for Prince Vegeta.
All one name, of course.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Still better than Cypher Raige.

 

[FalloutJack]

By the way, how do you pronounce "Gaius", is it "Gay-us", or "Guy-us"?

Sod it, I'll just call you Mr. Coffee for convenience.

Think Battlestar. No more Mr. Nice-Gaius.

Changing your name is, I hope, a matter of pride because you just don't feel your own hits it right, so I hope it was worth it, Guy...us.