That’s right. It might seem a completely random thing to do, but it’s been a long time coming, even if I didn’t know it. I was laying in the hammock on Monday, day before my birthday, dozing in and out, and it occurred to me to just do it. I have gone by other names throughout my life, Kitty, Red (I am still Red to many), when I worked at the nightclub I had a different name nightly, depending on my mood. Colleen was never one of them. It’s a very nice name, but it’s just not me. It’s also very difficult on the phone, I get Pauline and Holly a lot. I feel like Colleen has gone as far as she can with the name, and when Scarlett popped in to my head I instantly felt a connection. There were no other names to consider, and believe me, I tried. I was already Scarlett. It’s just another word for Red. Yes, I have read GWTW two dozen times, but it’s not that Scarlett. I don’t identify with her, except for her strength, which I admire and hope I have. It’s not the actress either. It’s just me.
When I put it out on Facebook I was overwhelmed by the acceptance. Both my mother and father think it’s really wonderful and fully support me, and my friends have been amazing. Friends contacted me to let me know they had also changed their names, even first last and middle. Now, Scarlett Hickey doesn’t sound very good, and Hickey is also a very difficult name for people, I wanted something easier. I changed it to Reed, because it’s a family name. I wanted a name that reflected how I feel now; strong, vibrant, confident, connected to family and the earth, and as my mother would say “on the path to greatness”.
So bye bye Colleen Aletha Hickey, hello Scarlett Reed
* Update 8-4-10 I LOVE my new name! Everyone has been so great and accepting and I really appreciate it. I had a couple of freak outs, I tried several different last and middle names on Facebook to see how they made me feel, and drive my friends crazy and make them worry about me (sorry!). It’s been over a month, I have added Fiona as my new middle name (Irish!) and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me. I highly recommend it to anyone who is reading this and feels no connection to their own name and might be thinking this path is right for them. I’m beginning the paperwork, and I’m hoping in a year or so my close friends and family will be used to calling me Scarlett. I am her. I am me. Thanks to everyone for embracing the change.
Scarlett Fiona Reed
It *is* a beautiful name and it melds who you already embody with the woman you are evolving and growing into.. it take courage and strength and integrity to recognize when we’re in a state of transition and be willing to embrace that shift. As we allow our old “selves” to fade away, we create the opportunity to truly blossom- and as your mom said so aptly: puts us “on the path to greatness”.
People will either get it, or they won’t… it’s easy to cling to the fixed notions of who someone is or isn’t- especially when they’ve been in our lives for extended periods of time- and it’s difficult to sometimes recognize the ephemeral nature of our existence.. but impermanence is the name of the game: whether we like it, struggle against it, rebel, thrash and rage against it, or simply gracefully surrender to it’s ineffable nature.
Not sure where the passionate existentialist commentary came from.. *laugh*… point being: Kudos to you. 😉
New name wonderful! I my self am adjusting to a new name and learning to connect with it. I especially wanted to comment because I was so moved and inspired by your first comment by Sushila, was wondering if this person is a personal friend or just a blog viewer whom you don’t know? Either way what an asset of thought…
Hi Jacque and thank you. Sushila is a new friend and obviously very insightful 🙂 Your name is so beautiful and even more so because you received it through love.
Thank you, Sushila, very well said.
Thank you, thank you… to you both <3
I somehow missed this post, perhaps I was on holiday. Of course, I had already picked up on from facebook. I think it makes sense and I congratulate you on your passion to follow your heart! ~Mindy
Forest changed his last name before we got married (took his mother’s maiden name) so I say you go girl. A lot of friends had a hard time with it (and it was only his last name) but 6 years later & everyone is on board.
Thank you so much, Mindy and Raya!
your new name is beautiful and very fitting! my grandmother named herself as well-jean austin. i think it was a liberating experience for her. enjoy your new name!
;-D I met you at Zapp (I was set up with Mindy) and to me? You were already Scarlett. I applaud you for your belief, for finding who you are and following your heart. And – I’m so glad that I finally got to meet you!
😀 robelyn
Kim, I love your grandmothers name, and thanks so much. My own mother is now trying out Sparrow, her given name is Celeste. Robelyn, it was so nice to meet you too! That was at the end of one of those unbearably hot days, so I wasn’t quite all there. Love your hats and purses so much!
Scarlett
I knew I had read this on your FB page many moons ago 🙂 LOVE that you changed your name to something that is YOU. I have talked about doing this as well and my husband cannot understand the idea of it. I told him that he has a “classic, stong” name (John) where mine is dated and does not “fit” me (Donna). Perhaps if I moved to a new town with new people to make introductions to it would be easier. Is there lots of paperwork that goes along with the process (I’m assuming SS#, credit cards, etc…) It’s a fabulous name and one that I’ve only “known” you by and it’s a perfect fit!