Can I use two versions of my name?

Question

I am currently a junior in school and I don't like my name very much. My legal first name is Alyssa, but my mother is Jewish and my name in Hebrew is Netanya. Also, I don't like my last name either, I really like my mother's maiden name. I want to use Netanya + mother's maiden name once I'm in college. Although, I want to hyphenate my fathers last name in the middle for legal reasons to prove that my parents are my parents if I need to. I want it to be like Netanya "Fathers Last Name" "Mothers Last Name" So I'll be known by my mothers last name and use my father's as my middle for legal reasons. My question is, is it a good idea? My parents don't mind but my mother told me my old name would be on my grade transcripts when I send them to college and how am I going to show that it's the same person? Well, I don't know how that's going to work out. So is this a good idea, as would it make a smooth transition from HS to college and be worth it in the end?

Answer 1

hmmm....

yes its a good idea!

Answer 2

If you are 18 (or when you are), you have the absolute right to legally change your name to whatever you want, as long as it is not being used for any kind of fraud.  You can even make up a name. Using dad's name as "part" of it, will not be proof in any way.. since having changed it, you could put anyone's name in there.

Good or bad idea is something you have to decide for yourself.  I agree with mom that it MIGHT create issues relating to one name on old records, and another on another.  Your court paperwork would prove one is the same, but be prepared to do that with other records. I would find that to be annoying, but you might not be concerned with it.

I'm a bit older.. so factor that in... most women change their last names when they get married. I honestly would not want to go through the hassle of proof back and forth, but that's me. Speaking as a genealogist.. it can be hard to find records 200 yrs later if someone changed their name, but unless you do genealogy, that's just my thing.

I like me.. as I am.. and overall, I see little value in changing my name. Just opinion wise.