What happens when you change your name?

The Numerologist Team

Chances are you’ve got a nickname. Or may be you married and changed or hyphenated your last name? Perhaps you changed the spelling of your first or middle name? May be you even went the whole nine yards and changed your entire legal name? One of the most common questions we get asked online, from people all over the world is – “Does my nickname or married name or name change affect my numerology?” And the answer is YES! It happens, it’s common, and your name change most definitely affects your personal numerology.

Birth name, nickname, name change … which name do I use in numerology?

When calculating your Soul Urge or Expression Number, it’s important that you still use your birth name (the name printed on your birth certificate) but this doesn’t mean that your nickname or newly chosen name has no effect on your life going forward.  So whether you have a cute nickname that’s stuck with you for years, or you’ve more recently adopted a stage name for a burgeoning acting career, the name you choose to use creates a significant energy transfer between you, and the world.

Think about it.

Every time someone calls out your name, you write it down, fill out a form, or send an email, you’re identifying with this name. Even the smallest spelling change will have an effect. Because in essence, you’re expressing a subtle impression of yourself into the world, and attracting similar energy back, through your chosen name.

But which of your birth, chosen or given names should you actually use to calculate your personal numerology?”

The answer to this questions is, quite simply … all of them!

There’s no one-size-fits-all name change numerology calculator. Because the numerology behind every one of your most familiar names will bring you further clarity about the entirety of your life’s purpose and how you express yourself in all sorts of different situations.

For example, your birth name reveals your overall destiny, the blueprint of your whole life, who you are and who you’ll always truly be. Whereas your nickname will represent how you see yourself and how others see you, and this has the potential to change dramatically as you grow and mature.  It may also contain the imprint someone else has given you, if your nickname wasn’t actually chosen by you.

For the most part, your most common name is the very first impression you offer when meeting someone.  When you say, “Hi, I’m …” you’re transmitting a coded message, subconsciously telling that person you are, and who you want to be perceived as.  This means that its numerological value really does matter!

What the numerology of your nickname or common name says about you?

The name you use the most reveals a lot about you and what you’re communicating with others. For example, the numerology of your common name may reveal:

How you want to present yourself,

What you’re comfortable expressing and sharing,

How you connect, interact, and communicate with others,

The personal boundaries you have,

Your general attitude and vibe in a social setting.

What the numerology or your formal or birth name says about you?

Just because you go by a nickname or a more common name, that doesn’t mean your birth name is not important. The numerology of your birth name reveals:

Your true destiny and life’s blueprint,

The more hidden aspects of your personality (the side you may not show many people unless you’re close to them),

What you really like and dislike,

Your compatibility with others,

Your innate talents and gifts.

What the numerology of your other names say about you?

But what if you have more than just a birth name and a common name?

Many people have a business or company name too.

Look at your emails and letters. What name do you use to sign off with? Your full name? Your nickname? Or a different name entirely?

For added insight and clarity, it is a really good idea calculate the numerology behind each of the different names you associate with, to reveal the many layers of the impressions you give to those you connect with.

How to calculate the numerology behind your names?

Now that you know the difference between your nickname, common name, and birth name it’s time to calculate the numerology for them. It’s simple. Just write out your name, and assign each letter a numerical value (we’re using the Pythagorean system here).

After you’ve figured out all the numerical values for each letter, add up all the digits and continue adding until you’re left with one single number (or one of the master numbers 11 or 22).

For example, the name Gabrielle would look like this:

Add up all the digits: 7 + 1 + 2 + 9 + 9 + 5 + 3 + 3 + 5 = 44, and 4 + 4 = 8

Therefore, the numerological value of “Gabrielle” is 8.

After you’ve calculated the numerological values of each of your names, consult the number dictionary to see what vibrational energy or impression it gives out.

Other ways to calculate the numerology behind your name:

Another common way to analyze your name is to see what numbers are present in your name and which ones are lacking. So in the previous example, Gabrielle has 2 Es and 2 Ls. This indicates the strong presence of the numbers 5 and 3 indicating a thirst for adventure, exploration, travel, and creative expression. The lack of 4, 6, and 8 may indicate a dislike or lack of stability, domestic affairs, and predictability. Be sure to cross-reference these numbers with the whole birth name and any other names, though – in isolation, it could be easy to come to incomplete conclusions.

For a full analysis of your name using this method, check out this blog post on interpreting your “special traits” numbers  and this blog post on interpreting the missing numbers in your name.

Should you change your name?

Many people write to ask us “Should I change my name?” for reasons as diverse as improving the numerology of their business or career prospects, to their relationship compatibility with their spouse! There is always a lot of talk in numerology circles on whether one should undertake a name change or not, and there’s no clear answer. What is clear is that a name change affects numerology, but the general consensus, is to go with your gut feeling and make sure the name change happens “organically”.

Whether you’re hyphenating your last name with your new spouse’s or taking on a pseudonym as a writer, make sure it feels right to you. Do it because it feels good, positive, and right. Not because you desire the riches you believe the number 8 will bring, or want to leave behind the past of the number 9.  If you’re running away from something, don’t think a name change can get rid of unresolved issues overnight. And remember, another person’s impressions are not always a true representation of who you are.

So before you change your name, or give up your last name, or identify with a new nickname, ask yourself, “Does this feel right? Do I feel good about this?” The answers to those questions will tell you more about the decision than calculating the numerology behind the names.