Judgment of the North Holland Court dated June 12, 2019

The applicant has been receiving treatment at GGZ for several years due to a number of issues. These issues have arisen, in part, because the applicant had a (very) difficult childhood. She was emotionally neglected by her parents, and at one point, she became aware that her parents did not actually want her. This had a significant emotional impact on her. Additionally, the applicant was named after her father’s then-girlfriend, which reinforced the idea that she was unwanted, as her mother apparently had no significant role in the choice of her name.

The applicant’s father passed away several years ago. After his death, she expected that her relationship with her mother would improve, as they might “grow closer” to each other, but this has not been the case so far. The applicant’s mother has become evasive and is primarily focused on herself. This causes the applicant great sorrow because her well-being has suffered since her father’s passing. Her mother is aware of this, but based on her behavior, she appears to be disinterested.

The applicant is of Asian origin. In her life, she has traveled to Asia multiple times for vacations and family visits. Instead of her official name, she quickly began to be addressed as May* there. She has found this very pleasant from the beginning, as it made her feel accepted for who she was, unlike by her parents and sister. This led her to decide that from her teenage years onward, she only wanted to go by the name May. Since then, she introduces herself as such to everyone; friends, family, and acquaintances now know her as May. Additionally, the applicant has been bullied in the past. Therefore, through the requested name change, she wishes to create a “new identity” and leave her challenging childhood behind, moving forward in life with a name that affirms who she truly is.

Based on the applicant’s motivation, the court grants the request.

*The real first name has been fictionalized.