She said she was relieved to be free from the name she’d hated her entire life.
Redditor Natalliyah revealed what her former name was in a viral post.
“My birth mother named me ‘Charity,’ and I hated, hated, hated it with my whole heart my entire life,” she said.
She explained that even after switching families, she was stuck with the dreaded name.
“I was adopted at 10 years old, and my family briefly considered changing my first name at the same time my last name changed, but everyone said it would be silly to do that.
“I made it through [junior] high and high school with said name.”
The jokes her peers made, she added, stuck with her for life, much like her name.
“Honestly, the jokes and shit get really old, really fast. I tried using my middle name, but my adopted family didn’t like me doing that, so it only lasted a few months.”
As she got older, she no longer faced any opposition about what she chose to be called.
“Fast-forward many years, and as an adult, I found most of my real friends called me some shortened version of my gamer tag (which is Natalliya),” she said.
“Most of those friends didn’t even know my real name was Charity. They all assumed my name was ‘Nat’ or ‘Natalie.’
The nickname sparked an epiphany for her.
“By the time I turned 40, 100% of my friends called me Nat, and I finally decided to take my life by the horns and, for once, do something only for me.
“Changing my first name to Natalie was the single best thing I ever did for myself. It gave me my power back, in a way. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s how I [feel].”
People congratulated her on her name change and newfound happiness.
Honestly, the jokes and shit get really old, really fast. I tried using my middle name, but my adopted family didn’t like me doing that, so it only lasted a few months.
Redditor Natalliyah
Others who made the same decision agreed that it was the right move.
“I changed my name at 39, and yes, I felt I got my power back!” said one commenter.
“I changed mine at 56, and I feel the same. It’s so freeing to just do what makes you happy!” said another.
One viewer said they wished they’d leaped to change their name when they were younger.
“I didn’t realize how much harder it is the older you get. It’s too late now. I’m in my 30s, and everyone knows me by this name,” they said.
“People would find it strange and have [many] uncomfortable questions if I suddenly changed it.”
Natalie agreed that a mid-life name change can be difficult and often misunderstood.
“It’s hard for people to understand, sometimes,” she replied.