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There's nothing magical about a name.

Hell, it's not even a unique identifier.

When I'm on the net, I decide to use another name than the one my parents gave me.

I can change my Internet name at will, with the only downside of not being easily identified by those who already know me.

The same should be true in 'real life'. Let the parents give the name they want, but let the child change it at will.

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A few family friends have decided to give their children first names that are not be on the popular side of the spectrum, but have also chosen a more standard middle name that might be more favorable to the child once older.

I appreciate this approach because it does give a bit more of an option to the child. I haven't asked, but I expect the parents would be okay with the child changing their name totally as well.

It's quite prevalent in Chinese society for children to change their given names pretty much at will. You do have register the change at the "family" office, but that's it.

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