Whacky Deed Poll Name Changes

Some people view changing their name as a chance for silliness, while for others it can be a very personal, liberating, or pragmatic choice. A surprisingly large number of people have exchanged their commonplace names for something genuinely astonishing because of the UK’s comparatively permissive Deed Poll system, which permits you to change your name for almost any reason (as long as it’s not for dishonest or offensive reasons).

For official information, see the UK government guidance on changing your name.

Here are some examples.

Odd But Legal Name Changes

Unbelievably, all of these are legitimate, legally recorded names that were altered in the UK by Deed Poll. They demonstrate the amazing range of human ingenuity when unrestricted by tradition:

• One of the most well-known instances is Mr Bacon Double Cheeseburger, a man called Simon who legally changed his name because “Bacon Double Cheeseburger was the first name I came up with.”
• Captain Fantastic Outpaces Superman in Speed Spider-Man 
• Batman Wolverine, The Flash, and the Hulk Together: It has been claimed that a man who wanted to stand out chose this extraordinarily long name, which, astonishingly, nevertheless falls inside the 50-character maximum for surnames.
• An excellent illustration of picking a name that expresses a passion, no matter how odd it may seem for identification, is Simply Mylovepoet.
• Penelope Pitstop Colpus Crum: One woman referenced the vintage Wacky Races cartoon while combining her married names.
• Bowser Ijustwannadrift Moore: This moniker is a blatant reference to the popular street-racing culture and video game villains.

When A Name Is More Than A Joke

While the funny names grab the headlines, the Deed Poll system is essential for significant life changes. The vast majority of name changes are for very serious reasons, and the key ones tend to be:

• Family Restructuring – Such as a child adopting a stepfather’s surname or a person reverting to a maiden name after divorce.
• Safety and Privacy – Used by those fleeing domestic violence or individuals concerned about their privacy.
• Gender Identity – Allowing transgender and non-binary people to align their legal name with their true gender identity.

How to Officially Change Your Name by Deed Poll?

Over 85,000 people change their names in the UK each year, setting new records. This shows that people are increasingly taking charge of their identities, whether for serious personal reasons or for fun. To legally change your name by deed poll, contact us.

For guidance on filling out your documents and understanding the process, visit our Deed Poll support resources. To put your new name on public record, you can enrol a deed poll with the courts.

Contact UKDP for Deed Poll services on 0208 0172216.