4 Rules for Changing Your Name

The last few weeks have brought a spate of celebrity name changes. Here are 4 guidelines to consider as you contemplate a brand new you:

1. Name for Longevity– Don’t change your name on a whim. Your name must work for your entire lifetime. Prince’s constant name changes, for example, belittled his brand. And, Snoop Dog, for some reason, is now, Snoop Lion. Watch for him to change his name to Snoop Tortoise when he turns 60.

2. Try a One Name Brand – An unusual name like Beyoncé easily earns one name status, but Adele’s recent trademarking of her one name moniker opens up the possibility of being known by just your first name.

3. Make it Logical – When Chad Johnson changed his name to Ocho Cinco, those of us who speak Spanish, cringed. Didn’t he mean ochenta cinco? Regardless, he’s now back to Chad.

4. Step Out of Committing Genericide – If folks are having trouble finding you on Google because your name is Mary Smith or John Jones, consider a cooler, descriptive name like Tonga Mary, Antarctic Mike, or even The Supermarket Guru.

Have other ideas? Please share them with me in the comments area below.

#adele #beyonce #PersonalBranding #NamingRules #branding