A determined woman has told how, aged 40, she changed the birth name she despised.
She said she was relieved to be free of the name she had hated all her life.
Redditor Natallia revealed what her former name was in a viral post.
“My birth mother called me 'Charity,' and I hated, hated, hated it with all my heart my whole life,” she said.
She explained that even after switching families, she was stuck with the dreaded name.
“I was adopted when I was ten years old, and my family briefly considered changing my first name while changing my last name, but everyone said it would be foolish to do so.
“I made it [junior] middle and high school of said name.”
The jokes her peers made, she added, stuck with her throughout her life, just like her name.
“Honestly, the jokes and stuff get old really quickly. 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 grew older, she no longer faced opposition about what she wanted to be called.
“Fast forward many years, and as an adult, I discovered that most of my real friends called me a shortened version of my gamertag (that's 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 caused an epiphany for her.
“By the time I turned 40, 100% of my friends were calling me Nat, and I finally decided to take my life by the horns and do something just for me for once.
“Changing my first name to Natalie was the best thing I ever did for myself. It gave me back my power in a way. I know that sounds dramatic, but that's who I am [feel].”
People congratulated her on her name change and newfound happiness.
Honestly, the jokes and such get old really quickly. I tried using my middle name, but my adoptive family didn't like me doing that, so it only lasted a few months.
Redditor Nalliyah
Others who made the same decision agreed it was the right move.
“I changed my name when I was 39, and yes, I felt like I was getting my power back!” said one commenter.
“I changed mine when I was 56, and I feel the same way. It's so liberating to just do what makes you happy!” said another.
One viewer said they wished they had made the leap to change their name when they were younger.
“I didn't realize how much harder it gets as you get older. It's too late now. I'm in my 30s and everyone knows me by this name,” they said.
'People would think it was strange and they did [many] uncomfortable questions if I were to suddenly change it.”
Natalie agreed that a name change mid-life can be difficult and often misunderstood.
“It's sometimes hard for people to understand,” she replied.