I thought this discussion would be relevant for this Morelife Yahoo
group for several reasons. First, it is important that I update my
identity with this group, as required by the group policies. Related to
this, I thought this message would be an interesting illustration of a
person's (my) rejection of anonymity and continued practice of openness.
Furthermore, there are likely many people who have experiences that are
similar to the ones I describe below. My message below would be useful
for these people (and likely others) to think about regarding name
changes, personal identity, anonymity, and openness.

I have recently changed my name from Steven Curtis Floyd Jr to Maximus
Victus Peto (pronounced “PEE-toh”). Changing one's name (especially for
a male not being married) is an unusual thing for a person to do. Thus,
it is important that I explain *why* I have changed my name. Changing
one's name might be interpreted as an attempt at dishonesty, fraud, or
offense. I want to make this name-change, and my explanation, public for
all to read, question, and understand, so my intentions will be perceived
as they truly are: an honest desire for a personal identity that is, to
me, meaningful, purposeful, and inspiring.

My previous name, Steven Curtis Floyd Jr, is the same name as my father
(he is Steven Curtis Floyd Sr.). For quite some time I have been discontent
with having the same name as my father. There are several reasons I have
for changing my name.

First, and most importantly, I have changed my name because I think a
person's name should say something about the person. In my case, I chose
the name Maximus Victus Peto because these name-components have meanings
in Latin that are part of who I am - the characteristics I try to
embody. A name is a label: it is what the rest of humanity knows you by.
If one never interacts with another human, there would be no need for
s/he to have a name. Because of this, I thought it was appropriate to
choose a name that is meaningful and inspiring to me, as well as
indicative to others of some of my personal goals and values:

Maximus: (Latin) "Greatest"
Victus: (Latin) "Life-giving" or "nourishing"
Peto: (Latin) "To strive, to aim at, to try for, to attack"

Second, my father and I have been routinely confused when it comes to
things like financial documents, government documents, credit reports,
and insurance policies. Once, when I was renewing my Michigan driver's
license, the clerk at the secretary of state's office gave me a license
with a birth date of 1960 (did I really look 40+ years old during my
early 20's?). Furthermore, on my credit report, every year for the past
5 years I have had to write letters to credit bureaus for them to remove
my father's credit cards from my credit report. These mistakes seem to
appear on my credit report for no apparent reason except for errors in
the credit-reporting systems. Additionally, getting quotes for auto or
home insurance, companies frequently use my father's birth date and
information to calculate my premiums. All of these things have made
using my father's name very inconvenient.

I know that many people are reluctant to recognize a person's new name
(I know this from personal experience with this name change so far). It
is difficult to adjust to something new, especially when "the old" has
been a certain way for a long time. I do not expect for some individuals
to ever feel comfortable with my new name, and I do not expect
everyone
to support my name change. But I have two things to say about this.
First: those who choose to use my new name when they refer to me will
earn my gratitude. It will make me glad to see that they support this
name change, since any good friend supports hir (his/her) friends in
important, harmless life changes such as this one. Second: it is
helpful in my getting used to my new name for others to call me by
this name, since I'm still getting used to it myself! *laughs*

--Max Peto (Steve Floyd Jr)