The number of people choosing to change their name by deed poll is climbing significantly.
Mail Online reported that the Deed Poll Service dealt with 30 per cent more alterations in September than in the same month of 2010; with London solicitors and others around the UK seeing changes many monikers.
The news provider pointed out that many pop stars have changed their name by deed poll - such as Elton John, who used to be Reginald Kenneth Dwight - but the process was simplified in 2000 and now more people than ever are doing it.
For example, Michael Pugh and Rebecca Griffin swapped their surnames for an amalgamation of the two when they got married - Puffin. Ms Puffin said: "People were shocked but we just thought it would be a nice idea. We won't change it back. Our children will be Puffins too."
The publication predicted 60,000 people will change their name in 2011, which is a sharp increase from the 197 who went through with the process in 2000.
However it is not just surnames that are causing people to fret; a new study reported by The Observer revealed that eight per cent of parents regret the Christian name they chose for their child. Part of the issue appears to be that so many parents have tried to give their offspring non-conformist, unique names; while others have been inspired by a passing fad.
written by Paul Smithson on October 17th 2011
