Byline: Louie Aldip

Changing one’s name has become a growing focus in personal identity management, with more people seeing it as an important part of their self-expression. To understand this trend, Easy Name Change, a company specializing in assisting individuals through the name change process, is conducting a survey to collect data on the experiences of those who have changed or plan to change their names. The survey seeks to provide insights into motivations, challenges, and potential improvements to the process.

The survey targets several key groups:

• Engaged or newlywed individuals aged 25-40
• Divorcees aged 25-60
• Anyone who has legally changed their name

The survey is open to all genders, though many respondents are expected to be female. Individuals who have changed their name in the past 24 months or plan to do so in the next 12 months are invited to participate.

Trends in Personal Identity Management

The personal services industry, which includes name change services, is seeing notable growth. Market forecasts suggest an increase from $1,379.77 billion in 2024 to $1,891.41 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%, highlighting a shift in how people manage their personal identities.

A researcher at Easy Name Change remarks, “People’s perceptions of their names are changing. More and more, names are viewed as flexible elements of personal identity.” While marriage and divorce continue to be common reasons for name changes, there is a rising number of individuals who are making changes for personal or gender identity reasons.

Administrative and Financial Considerations

The name change process can be time-consuming, often involving multiple steps, from court petitions to updating personal and official records. The survey aims to quantify the amount of time and effort involved in these tasks.

A legal expert at Easy Name Change explains, “Court approval is just the first step. After that, individuals need to update their name with various institutions and organizations.” Initial results suggest that most people spend between 20 and 30 hours completing the necessary updates across different platforms and documents.

The survey also explores the financial aspects of name changes. Preliminary data shows that individuals spend between $500 and $1,000 on name change-related costs, excluding any potential lost wages for time taken off work. These findings could contribute to future discussions on making the process more affordable and accessible.

Broader Implications for Identity Management

The insights gathered from this survey could help shape future industry practices and influence policy discussions around identity management in a world where digital and legal identities are increasingly intertwined.

A spokesperson from Easy Name Change notes, “Name changes reflect broader social shifts in how we understand personal identity. This survey aims to shed light on the practical aspects of these changes and help develop policies and services that better meet people’s needs.”

As the survey wraps up, Easy Name Change hopes to provide a comprehensive look at current name change experiences. Individuals interested in contributing can participate in the survey here.