I’m 10 today!!!

That’s right, today is my 10th anniversary…as Michael Dalgarno!!! In case you haven’t worked it out, I changed my name legally a decade ago. And although some people know my original name they may not be sure why I changed it, so I have decided that it is time to discuss the reason.

Before we start, I am not going to say want my original name was. I personally don’t think it is that relevant. And those that do know my original name, I would be grateful if you didn’t share it either.

Firstly, I never liked my first name. Hating it is an understatement!!! I was bullied because of my first name, all throughout my school years and even going into work. I didn’t even get away from it at home, as my brother also used to call me names as well. I don’t think he realised the seriousness of what he was doing, but overall it left a scar.

Since I was about eight, I secretly wished that I could be called Michael. I believe I even asked my mum why I wasn’t called Michael. I always believed that your first name should be able to be shortened, so you can have a nickname. I now feel like I have that with Mike.

Secondly, the surname was from a previous marriage my mum was in, so had nothing to do with me.

I just didn’t randomly pick a new surname. It is, in fact, my grandma’s maiden name. I ruled out my mum’s maiden name as that would just be asking for trouble (and further bullying). Plus, I absolutely loved the surname. It felt something to me. And as I had lost my granny a couple of years previously, it felt like a fitting tribute to carry the name again.

A couple of years prior to the name change, I came out and started to discover who I really was. It was definitely a rollercoaster. After my ‘friends’ turned their back on me I moved to Manchester to start afresh. And that really helps me discover who I really was. It felt like a new me was being born, so with that, I deserved a new name.

So there you go, that’s the reason I changed my name. Happy Birthday to me!!!