I want to change my first name as an adult

If you intend to change your first name, we would like to refer you to the free application form, or by or by submitting your request via email to info@advocaatnaamswijziging.nl. You can fill out the application form at no cost and with no obligation. Your application will be treated confidentially (of course). After the evaluation and, if necessary, further discussion, you can decide whether or not to initiate the procedure.

Curious about the general possibilities for changing a first name? Below, you will find a number of examples of common requests for name changes. This will give you an indication in advance of the chances and possibilities. On our blog page, real court rulings are published, and you can search for specific situations using the ‘tag’ button.

Example Situations

Naming After Someone

A person has a strong bond with a family member (e.g., a grandmother or father) and would like to name themselves after that person. This may or may not have been discussed with the parents in the past, but it never happened. The person would like to use the name as a tribute to their grandmother/grandfather. In such a situation, there is a sufficiently weighty reason. Usually, it involves adding a second or third first name. On our blog page, you will find real court rulings in the ‘naming after someone’ category.

Negative Association with the First Name

A person does not like their first name, or they have had negative experiences with it in the past (e.g., bullying). It can also happen that the person finds the name old-fashioned and has no connection to it. Often, a nickname is used, and at some point, there is a desire to make it official (see also the case below: use of a different nickname). In general, negative associations with the first name provide a sufficiently weighty reason to change it.

Use of a Different Nickname

A person has used a nickname different from their official first name since childhood, for whatever reason. This may or may not cause confusion for others because the person is sometimes addressed by the official first name, which is not their preferred nickname. It can also happen that the person is ashamed of their official first name and does not want others to know it. Another situation is that the person has been bullied in the past with their official first name and has unpleasant memories associated with it. Whether through the use of the nickname or not, these situations constitute a sufficiently weighty reason.

Religious Belief

A person has names related to a specific religion but is not religious themselves. They find it uncomfortable that their names suggest adherence to a particular faith. Conversely, a person follows a religion and would like their first name to reflect it (or add a first name related to their faith). In such situations, there is a sufficiently weighty reason for either the removal or change/addition of the first name.

Depression and Trauma

A person has experienced significant traumatic events in the past, and they wish to seek healing. Changing their first name can assist in this process. It may be related solely to memories triggered by the name or, in cases of severe symptoms, PTSD. In these situations, there is a sufficiently weighty reason to change the first name.