Name changing map of Great Britain: The Welsh most likely to consider new alias

New research published by UK Deed Poll, shows in the UK, people in Wales are the most likely to consider changing their name – followed by East Anglia and Scotland. Those in Northern Ireland are the least likely with people in Yorkshire and the Humber, and the West Midlands also most likely to resist change.

The findings by UKDP.co.uk have thrown up some other interesting trends, like the 1 in 8 men who would now consider changing their name if they got married or divorced. Other reasons for a fresh alias include the 1 in 6 who’d want a change if they had a handle that was causing embarrassment – or the 1 in 20 who’d change if they shared a name with a less than popular politician. For nearly 10 percent, it would be to re-invent themselves while 2 per-cent would be prepared to do it for a dare!

“We've always noticed a sharp spike in name change requests at the beggining of the year. In our experience for some people it's a spur of the moment decision, but for most changing their name is something they have thought about and have been meaning to do for a long time and it's the new year that gives them that boost which makes them finally go ahead and do it”. – Conrad Braithwaite, UKDP.co.uk

Also revealed in the research are the celebrity names the men and women of the UK would opt for; and David Beckham still seems to be close to our hearts with the footballer coming out top for the blokes. He’s followed by Brad Pitt and Stephen Fry – with Daniel Craig sharing fourth place with his most famous character James Bond! And while Mrs Beckham takes fifth spot for the top female choices, she’s behind Kate Middleton in first place. Cheryl Cole and Helen Mirren share second, with Holly Willoughby in fourth place. Judi Dench and Beyonce are joint sixth.