EDITORS NOTES

The Zimsimplified ® MAGAZINE © 2021

Written by | ARTHUR MARARA HowTo Change Your Name Legally

O D

ne of the constant inquiries that I get from people is, "How do I change my name". There are number of people who are stuck with names that they no longer want, and do not know what to do with these names. The good news is that you can actually change your first name(s) and surname if you so wish. There is a legal procedure for this. Well, in this instalment I am going to demystify the whole subject of change of name, and show you what you need do to change your name legally.

o you want to change your name?

If your answer is yes, the good news is that you can change your name anytime. The common law allows you to change your first name(s) or surname to whatever you wish as long as it's not meant to deceive or defraud, and you are over the age of 16. In Zimbabwe, if you are not

WHY DO PEOPLE CHANGE NAMES?

Before demonising people for changing their names, you need to understand that this is their individual right in terms of the law. It is also yours, so if you do not exercise it, do not demonise or attack the people who are exercising it. In fact, globally some prominent people changed their names. Many would know Martin Luther King Junior. He was born, Michael Luther King Jr, until his father decided to adopt the name Martin Luther King Jr. Let me give a few more international examples here; - Miley Cyrus was born Destiny Hope Cyrus, but officially changed her name in January 2008. - Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson aka Katy Perry - Eric Marlon Bishop aka Jamie Foxx - Carlos Irwin Estevez aka Charlie Sheen - Onika Tanya Maraj aka Nicki Minaj - Peter Gene Bayot Hernandez aka Bruno Mars - Reginald Kenneth Dwight aka Elton John - Mark Vincent aka Vin Diesel - Robyn Rihanna Fenty aka Rihanna - Caryn Elaine Johnson aka Whoopi Goldberg

yet an adult, you will need the assistance of an adult to undertake this process on your behalf.

There are several prominent people in Zimbabwe who also changed their names. This practice is very legal and very common. I would not want to pick names as these are in the public domain. There are various reasons why people opt to change their names, and below are some of them. Please 'note that reasons vary from person to person; - Marriage or civil partnership(e.g.Bhirijeti Sponono marries Abhero Mudazvinhu and assumes his surname. There are also men assume their spouses' surname. It's perfectly legal.) - Adoption, or marriage of a custodial parent - Divorce or estrangement of parents - Immigration / adaptation of the name to a different language or script (e.g. if you are foreigner and you become a Zimbabwean national, you are not barred from changing your name) - To avoid a stalker or harassment - Religious conversion and/or deconversion, ordination or return to lay status - To choose a surname associated with a hobby, interest, or accomplishment (e.g., old name Abhero Mutanhi, new name Abhero Mhukadzesango) - To receive an inheritance conditional on adopting the name of the deceased (this reason was once quite common in landowning families in other parts of the world) - To replace a name which might be considered undesirable with a more desirable one. There are names which by virtue of the evolving nature of language sound now sound obscene. There was one Legal Notice of change of name that went viral with a an individual shortening their name for the sake of "decency". - To dissociate themselves from a famous or infamous person. For example you share surname with an infamous armed robber or criminal and your name is frequently used in many places. - To identify with a famous or infamous person - To dissociate themselves from a family black sheep (e.g., relatives of Adolf Hitler).