I think I have enough names already…there is my birth name – difficult enough -, I have a Hebrew name, and I have game name for Forge of Empires. In college I toyed with a pen name, but that didn’t last long.
If I was going to make any changes at all, it would be to put my last name back to the original – the one before the Brits played around with it. I use that name as part of my game name.
My ancestors are Norsemen! Rumour has it that they were royalty, but who knows for sure. Back in the fifth, sixth, and seventh centuries it was not uncommon to “buy” a title…you know like those Facebook ads claiming a royal title for X amount of money…yeah, that’s what they did then too.
But when William the Conqueror fought in the Battle of Hastings in 1066, one of my ancestors was there. Somewhere along the way Foljambe ended up as Fulghum (one part of the clan spells it Fulgham) … now nobody can pronounce it! With nephews playing sports – one is now a professional boxer – I think I have heard every conceivable pronunciation of the name. I think Foljambe would be a bit easier to figure out.
Speaking of the name, in Forge of Empires I chose the name Gerwin (I like the name) and Foljambe; so there is some reference to the original family name.
My first name is also a family name…and as equally difficult to pronounce! Sherrill (pronounced like Cheryl) is my mother’s maiden name. I have even found several towns around the country with the same name. Supposedly it has something to do with the name of a lake somewhere in England.
I also have a Hebrew name, but it is rarely used – only for ceremonial religious purposes – Elishevah (lol, I reall like the name, but the spellchecker doesn’t). Actually, it’s Elishevah bat Abraham.
All in all, I think I will hold on to what I have, name changing seems like a difficult thing to do…and then remembering who you are. Although when I had a job being Chuck E Cheese, people used to call me Chuckie, even out of costume!