'I'm desperate to change my daughter's last name – it's causing major problems'

An eight-year-old girl has been subjected to teasing at school due to her surname and her mum is now considering changing her name - but people are divided on the issue

A mum is considering changing her eight-year-old daughter's surname after how she has been bullied over the 'sexual' surname. It has prompted her to seek public opinion on whether she should make the change - or leave her daughter's surname as is.

Taking to Reddit to share her dilemma, she said: "I have an eight-year-old daughter and our last name is Dick. My husband said he was teased a lot as a kid and would like to change her last name. We are thinking of changing it to my maiden name which is more like Smith. Is there anything that I should think of? I will hire a family attorney to help me legally change it (both parents agree) and get a new social security number and passport for her."

But that's not all – the mother is also contemplating involving a child psychologist to assist her daughter in dealing with the issues arising from the teasing at school.

She further explained: "She thankfully has only been teased a few times and doesn't seem to be bothered by it which makes me worry she isn't going to want to change it - but we both feel strongly it will be a good decision in the long run.

"Was thinking soft launch of her new name in the summer and then tell the school to make it official in the fall. Any suggestions or thoughts? Looking for advice as I have a pit in my stomach about talking to her."

People were quick to share their thoughts on the situation – with one even saying the parents should have intervened long ago. They wrote: "You'd think the parents would have considered it before the birth... Dick is probably a worse surname on a girl compared to a boy."

And another agreed, writing: "Why would you be considering this now that she is eight? This seems like something you and your husband would have known/been aware of when she was born?"

With a more democratic approach, another advised: "My default opinion would be a yes, but maybe ask for your child's opinion as well. If she agrees to it, consider changing it into something she likes."

And another said: "Not sure you need a psychologist, but your daughter will need a response ready when people ask her about the change at school and any activities she's in. That's something to strategise ahead of time."

They continued by suggesting how the child might handle queries at school. Instead of going into details, they can divert the conversation away.

The Redditor added: "She can keep it vague, 'Just decided to use my mum's name!' and 'Family stuff I'm not super sure about... but I like Smith!' If she says it's about being teased or potentially teased the old name will stick!".