Name change? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dee8go · #1 02-21-2008, 01:50 PM

My son called me this afternoon to tell me he was changing his last name. What a shock

! I'm not too happy about it, but it's not up to me, so I just asked why. I have always thought that it was good that I had a son, since he's the last male in our family. Things like that seem important to me.

What would you do if your son did that?

SwampYankee · #2 02-21-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

My son called me this afternoon to tell me he was changing his last name. What a shock

! I'm not too happy about it, but it's not up to me, so I just asked why. I have always thought that it was good that I had a son, since he's the last male in our family. Things like that seem important to me.

What would you do if your son did that?

Huh, I guess I'd be kind of upset like you said. That whole name legacy thing, especially since he was the last male in your family. I know exactly what you mean, I was relieved when my first-born was a boy for that very reason. All of the pressure was off.

I don't know. That's a toughy. But like you said, there's not a whole lot you can do about it other than voicing your concerns, displeasure and maybe explain why it means a lot to you.

Did he give you any reasons (that you would share here anyway)?

Dee8go · #3 02-21-2008, 02:04 PM

He has started a business (advertising) and said that our family name is too difficult to use, because people constantly misspell and mispronounce it. He's right about that, but I would never have thought of changing it.

To be honest, it felt like a slap in the face to me. Maybe I should have told him it might make things sticky trying to claim his inheritance when I die. . . . Kids!

pj67coll · #4 02-21-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

To be honest, it felt like a slap in the face to me. Maybe I should have told him it might make things sticky trying to claim his inheritance when I die. . . . Kids!

Sounds like a plan to me

- Peter.

Chad300tdt · #5 02-21-2008, 02:12 PM

That's a tough one. I would be upset myself. I'd try to act cool and find out what the reason behind it is. My last name caused me a bit of grief in school, so I could understand someone being at the end of their rope with it.

I considered changing my name due my father abusing credit issues. Being named after him allowed him to continue with my credit and screw it up for many years.

I can't think of a "positive" reason for wanting to change your name ... I guess that's why I would be upset. Good luck Dee8go.

EDIT: I see you already know the reason.

I would tell him that perseverance builds character. I learned many lessons by sticking it out with my name.

Jordan G · #6 02-21-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

He has started a business (advertising) and said that our family name is too difficult to use, because people constantly misspell and mispronounce it. He's right about that, but I would never have thought of changing it.

To be honest, it felt like a slap in the face to me. Maybe I should have told him it might make things sticky trying to claim his inheritance when I die. . . . Kids!

You mean your name isn't really Dee8go? Sheesh.

That is a strange situation to have put you in......on one hand, it's only a name - it's your relationship with him that truly matters.....on the other hand, it's your son and we naturally associate ourselves via last names. I have 3 daughters - so I'm prepared for the worst.....but I can understand how you'd be upset.

I was originally thinking it was a divorce thing, as in, he took on an ex-wife's last name? It's somewhat understandable if it's being driven by marketing and money - I mean, I just sold my kidney on the black market and my Dad certainly had a hand in giving that to me too

.

TheDon · #7 02-21-2008, 02:15 PM

I'd keep the last name and add on a new one...

cjlipps · #8 02-21-2008, 02:16 PM

Well to tell you the truth, I'd be pist! A lot of that stems from the fact that my Dad is an only child and I'm an only son, plus our name is unusual. When I was little my Dad always said it was my job to carry on the family name and maybe that's ingrained in me.
Back to your situation. Not to sound critical of your son but that seems a shallow reason to change a name that was passed through many generations of men to him. Heck, the business might not even succeed and he'd be in a different boat then. He could call the biz anything he wants and leave the name alone. Also, and this is from experience, an unusual name is also unforgettable and that can be an advantage in business.
JMO. The bottom line is good relationships with our family members. It would hack me off but one would hope it wouldn't drive a wedge. Although my first response

involved the inheritance.

Good luck.

Hatterasguy · #9 02-21-2008, 02:32 PM

Why not just use a different name in the business? It doesn't have to be his real name. I have seen agents with PITA last names use their middle names in advertising.

Dee8go · #10 02-21-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan G

You mean your name isn't really Dee8go? Sheesh.
. . . . .

It's Dee8go del Fuego, if you must know . . . .

Dee8go · #11 02-21-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Why not just use a different name in the business? It doesn't have to be his real name. I have seen agents with PITA last names use their middle names in advertising.

A stage name? Yeah, that's what I thought, too. I've quit giving him advice when he hasn't asked for it, though. He's in his thirties, so he'll do whatever he will do.

Botnst · #12 02-21-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

My son called me this afternoon to tell me he was changing his last name. What a shock

! I'm not too happy about it, but it's not up to me, so I just asked why. I have always thought that it was good that I had a son, since he's the last male in our family. Things like that seem important to me.

What would you do if your son did that?

I'd hope the ***** wouldn't want a DNA test and back payment of child support. I don't (think) I have sons.

Hatterasguy · #13 02-21-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

A stage name? Yeah, that's what I thought, too. I've quit giving him advice when he hasn't asked for it, though. He's in his thirties, so he'll do whatever he will do.

Yep, I have also seen women keep there madian names in the advertising. People recognize a name if its been around awhile and it can be a very bad business idea to change it.

Its his call but I wouldn't change my last name just for that. Business's come and go, but a name is a name.

Dee8go · #14 02-21-2008, 03:24 PM

Thanks, Hattie you're like the nice, young, entrepreneural, Republican, gun-toting, Mercedes-drivin', money-making, name-retaining son I never had!

Dee8go · #15 02-21-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

I'd hope the ***** wouldn't want a DNA test and back payment of child support. I don't (think) I have sons.

Too late for that. Why couldn't he have done this years ago? When his mother called me looking for money for this and that, I could have said, "Who? What's the name again? Never heard of him!"