Identity and name changes
Falk, A.
Psychoanalytic Review 62(4): 647-657
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2836 PMID: 1235811 Document Number: 85539
The theoretical literature as well as case material presented point to the intimate relationship of name changes to identity struggles. Names have strong affective value and symbolize an important part of a person's identity. The cultural and social value of a name may be secondary to the personal meaning of that name to the individual who in changing it will reveal an inner change in his sense of identity or an inability to integrate a diffuse sense of identity. The answer to "what's in a name?" may be "Identity's in a name."