Name Change

Does anyone think it is rude to change your given name? My name is Mai and I don't really like it. I always have to correct people on how to pronounce my name. My mom pronounced it as "may" but people always pronounced as "my". It is a honest mistake, but it really get on my nerves... :O

i asked my mom once if i can change my name and she said okay. but i have to pay for the court fee...which is like $400 -_-

If I was to change my name...i think i would try to change it to something with mai somewhere in the name....like maisie, charmaine and etc....

I don't think it's rude really...I mean it is YOUR name!

My mom always told me I could go change my name if I wanted.  Well, not my name but the spelling (from Cristina to Christina or Kristina) just because no one EVER spelled it right, and because when I was little I was always disappointed when I couldn't find the little pencils and whatever else with my name spelled right on them...=(

I decided not to though because I like having a different name (in a way).  Plus, my last name is like, italian TO THE MAX so I thought it fit to have the italian spelling too =)  No one can even get close to saying my last name, so who cares if they can barely spell my first name too right? haha

I guess that's good I decided not to, since I didn't have to pay the court fees!  I had NO IDEA it costs so much! =\

Have you looked into the laws regarding a name change?  In Canada everyone has to call you by your new name for a year before it is legally changed.
Consider the uniquiness of your name. 
BTW my great grandma and my grand daughter are both Mai's.
Personally I like the name.

i just check on the county of los angeles...it costs $320 to change a name or gender <<<never knew u can change ur gender...lol

Charmaine? I don't think that is any better personally. Why not just switch the last two lettters and be called Mia. I think that is a pretty name. If you aren't happy with your name then I'd say change it.

Or just change it to May, which is a very pretty name.

I don't know how old you are...but, I HATED my name (Tatjana) until after college.  I too wanted to change it..but I'm glad I didn't.  It's unique and even though most people still can't pronounce it...it's mine and I like it. 

Having a unique name has allowed me to be remembered in interviews, with clients and with potential commercial (furniture) sales.  I would say wait if you can because you never know...it just might grow on you.

My brother has a birth name of Steven, however, he goes by his middle name of Dominik and has for four years now (he's 30), but...he's not going to go through the hassle of changing his name (new SS card, new license, new passport, new credit cards, new bank cards...etc.  It all becomes very complicated.)  So..we all just call him Dominik.  It was hard/weird at first, but once everyone starts doing it, it becomes second nature, heck, even my parents call him Dominik now.  Maybe you want to start there...start having people call you by a different name...see if you really do want the new name.

Do it! I always thought it would be fun to change you r name. I like charmaine.

I thought about changing my name. But I learned to love its inviduality and the fact that I dont stumble over too many Marlon's around

I think that you will eventually reach a point when you wouldn't have it any other way.

My name is Mary Catherine. That is my FIRST name (both names are my first name).
I actually have another middle name.

I went through school being called Mary all the time. I hated it. It's a nice name, it is just not MY name.
I always said, please call me "Mary Catherine" and if you can't do that, call me "MC".
(acknowledges both parts of my first name, at least :)
If you see my profile you will even notice it's the first thing I say :)

So, while I understand how it's annoying to have your name said incorrectly or spelled wrong, it becomes part of YOUR uniqueness.

I love your name.

When growing up I detested my name because I got called Kelly more often than not.  And I too could never find anythign personalized and it made me sad.

Now I love my name because it is so unique, although it is becoming more well known.  After all, there is a Callie on Grey's.  (which is how mine was to be spelled by my folks liked it with a K better)

You have to do what is right for you and you are the only one that can decide that. 

Hey my birth name was spelled belynda when i started school no one could teach a left hander to write so my art teacher changed the Y to I. I spelled my name Belinda for 34 yrs until I started working in a Dr's office and they needed my BC and drivers license. on my license it was spelled w/ the I so I had to change my Birth certificate to the correct name before they would hire me.

maybe u can get your changed that easy

my middle name is kim, so maybe i can tell people to start calling my kim or mk...i dont know..i sorta like mk..sounds cool :D

My sister never really liked her first name (Katherine) and has called herself Corrie instead since middle school.  But I don't think she ever changed it legally.

I kind of like the name Mai, it's pretty and unusual, but you're the one who has to live with it.

I changed the spelling of my name as a 7th grade birthday present!  From Dana to Dayna.  Of course... it only costed me $75.  I say GO FOR IT!  I'm happy with my change.  I'd be sure you want what you change it to though (I did want Jade, but my mother was skeptical, and now I'm glad I didn't.  Course I regret not changing my last name too while I was at it...)

It's like a new hairstyle, but better!

P.S. nice choice of sn

I can relate to you.  I have been Amber for most of my life, which isn't how you spell my name.  I have had people ask me before if i was sure thats how my name is spelled.  Unless my mom and everyone I know have been lying to me, I am pretty sure its spelled Ember.

I love my name, and I wouldn't change it for anything.  It defines me as a person and I love that its unique.  Remember some people are just ignorant.  

My sisters name is Arminda which I love but she has always, since I can remember gone by Mindy.  Why not try a nickname out for a while to see if you like it before you spend the money.  MK isn't half bad.....but you shouldn't have to change your name based on other people. 

As soon as i looked at your name i thought it was pronounced "may".

Other than that I understand where you're coming from. My names Lucia. Not one teacher (even the foreign language!!! teachers) ever got it right and my nana coud never spell it right.

It's pronounce "loo-chia" most either garble it up completely or call me "lu-see-ah".

But I like my name, despite the fact that my sociology teacher pronounced my name wrong for my 2 years of alevel.

You've just got to ask yourself, do YOU like your name, really sit and think about this because in the end you'll regret it if you change your name just because other people.

I'd follow other peoples advice and jus go by a nickname. My whole family calls me Chia, which makes most people figure out early on that it's pronounced that way.

 I think perhaps you should try out a nickname for a little while. Afterall, my name is Margaret but if someone says "Hey, Margaret! " I don't come running... Shoot, I don't even look. I just continue on as if whatever. I've been going by my nickname so long that my actual name doesn't even register anymore. So I consider my name Maggie. Your name is whatever everyone calls you. I just consider Margaret the formal version for paperwork. Remember that.

It doesn't  matter how it's spelt if you want people to call you May tell them to call you May. If they dont... Don't respond to anything but your nickname. They'll catch on.

I don't think you should change it because it's very unique. It holds sentiment since your mother gave it to you. Regardless of spelling people will call you May, if you don't respond otherwise. In time you may miss the sentiment and substance in your name. It may become more meaninful to you.

I wanted to change my name for a long time because zachary is so common. I realized though that it's common because it's awesome so I stuck with it. Do what feels best for you, but I personally wouldn't change it.

Do what feels right to you.

My name is Aine, which is something people can't pronounce OR spell correctly. But I love it because it is unique and everyone tells me it's beautiful. To each is one, I suppose. 

Perhaps you could use your middle name, or if Mai IS you middle name, try using your first name.  Or, as several have suggested, try a different version, like Maisie!  I happen to think Mai is a  pretty cool name, but I can see your frustration on the pronunciation! My granddaughter's name is unusual and people never  pronounce it correctly, but she  just shrugs it off and wonders why people have so much trouble with it!  I have always been called Vicki, but when I was elected to my current position, I became Victoria.  And, I love it.............but Marie - (my middle name) I am not sure I would answer to!

I would suggest you wait until you are older.....you "may"  just decide you like it after-all!