Judgment of The Hague District Court of June 29, 2020

The petitioner has been using a different nickname from her official name since a young age. As she has been using this nickname for many years, she has come to the conclusion that the discrepancy between her nickname and official name is increasingly bothersome. She is known by her nickname among friends, family, and acquaintances, many of whom are unaware that she has a different official first name.

When confronted with her official first name, the petitioner feels as if it refers to someone else. She frequently finds herself having to explain why her official first name differs from her nickname. Due to the difference between her actual and official situations, the petitioner feels like ‘two persons’. She can prove with documentation that she uses the nickname as much as possible in daily interactions. Considering this, she believes it is in her interest to make her nickname official, so her current first name will henceforth be used only as a second name.

Given the fact that the petitioner can demonstrate she uses the name in daily interactions, the court concludes that she has an interest in formalizing her nickname. The court grants the request for a first name change. No oral hearing was held.