I almost totally renamed myself. I did not care for my maiden name. Plus, I had some issues w/ my father's family.
I was never thrilled w/ what people called me while I was married.....two common/boring names. I did not feel they reflected me. So, I did started hyphenating my first and middle names together and slowly changed everything back before so much documentation became necessary for something like that.
When we divorced, the only two choices I had for my name were to keep his or go back to my maiden name. I could not afford a second court action.
I spent 5 years, though, fantasizing over what I wanted my last name to be. It needed to be something that looked like it might belong on the family tree. My mother asked me not to use her maiden name - she did not want people to think I was 'an illegitimate child'. As there is a porn movie with the name I could have if I used her maiden name, I opted to honor her request.
When x married his second wife, I had a friend who was an attorney who did the name change for his costs. This time, I went for the whole enchilada.
I changed my first name to the hyphenated name I had been using for years. Neither name was particularly unusual but in combination they are striking....it is not Teresa-Lynn but that is an example of what it might be.
My legal middle name is the maiden name I dislike. I use it as a middle initial only. It ties me to the family tree. (Bear in mind that this new first and middle name combination is almost exactly what appeared on my initial birth certificate with only the addition of a hyphen.)
My chosen last name is my grandfather's middle name, my father's middle name, my son's middle name. It fits on the family tree. It is easy to spell. It is common and it balances my unusual first name.
Because I followed the established procedures and reported it to the Vital Records of the state in which I live, they amended my birh certificate. My new last name is now the last name that appears on my birth certificate. It is my maiden name.
I have totally renamed my self. I have a name as unique as me! I love my name. I don't identify with any of the three last names I have had in my lifetime. But, I LOVE my chosen name.
The man I have been dating for several years has the same first name as my chosen last name. He tells me that he understands what a healing experience it was for me to do this as we were acquainted before the change. It is his spoken opinion that no man who expects me to change my name upon marrying him is worthy. He KNOWS that this is my chosen name and that I have this name for strong personal reasons. No one gave it to me.
I LOVE MY CHOSEN NAME!