Imagine discovering a dark secret about your family that shakes you to your core. Now imagine that you’re named after the person responsible for that secret. That’s exactly what happened to one family when their 16-year-old son found out the truth about his late grandfather, whom he’s named after. The son wants to change his name, but his mom is not on board, causing a rift in the family.
Family Secrets Unveiled ️♂️

The Estranged Sister’s Story

Shocking News Rocks the Family

Son Wants to Change His Name

Mom Shuts Down the Idea

Dad Supports Son’s Decision

Wife Accuses Husband of Insensitivity

Balancing Both Sides ⚖️

Seeking Family Therapy ️

Family Divided: Name Change Dilemma
After discovering a dark family secret involving his late grandfather, a 16-year-old boy wants to change his name, as he’s named after the man responsible. His mom, however, disagrees and believes the name should represent the good things her father did. The father supports his son’s decision, causing tension between him and his wife. With emotions running high, the family is considering therapy to help navigate this complex situation. Let’s see what the internet thinks about this family’s predicament…
Son wants to change name due to father-in-law’s past. NTA.

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees, commenters agree wife needs therapy

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. Commenters support son’s choice.

Son wants to change abusive name. Wife in denial. NTA.

Son wants to change name, mother disagrees. Supportive commenters.

Supporting a name change is a gift of love

Therapy could be the solution for this family
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/d4f7db17-b7b1-4866-badf-105edb7377b7.png)
Supportive comment for dad and son’s name change decision

Supportive commenters validate survivor and offer helpful advice. ❤️

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. NTA says comment.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/6e604700-8580-47ab-b906-4ff77cc6bca8.png)
Mother refuses to let son change name, despite his mature approach

Supporting son’s name change, but consider wife’s trauma sensitively

Commenter sides with son, but acknowledges wife’s pain.

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. NTA, valid reasons. Family therapy.

Son wants to change his name, mom disagrees. Commenter empathizes.

Supporting son’s name change, but wife not an a**hole either

Supportive dad helps son assert identity despite wife’s grief
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/2e19ebda-f2e3-4855-a927-f29be24bdcbe.png)
Son wants new name, mom disagrees. NTA suggests compromise.

Changing names is a blessing, not a burden

Support for son’s name change, advice for mom to stand up.

Commenter sympathizes with OP’s situation, supports their actions. ❤

Changing your child’s name: NTA but could lead to divorce ♂️

Choosing a name can have lasting impacts.

Supportive comment calls out mom’s behavior, uses strong language

Therapy needed: Reddit users struggle with family name dispute

Therapy first: NAH, but son’s past trauma must be considered

Changing a name with negative connotations is understandable

Support your son’s name change, but also show empathy towards wife

Let him change his name! ♀️

Let him change his name, parents don’t own their children

Name matters to the person who wears it. NTA.

Compromise suggested for son’s name change, counseling recommended ❤

Commenter supports abuse victim, condemns dad’s actions.

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. NTA says comment.

A heated comment calling out a mother’s questionable decision.

Empathetic comment suggests counseling before changing name.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/6e5c0d43-5815-4dc9-a5b9-94e9b6366024.png)
Spouse demands support, but commenter says NTA.

Supportive commenters share experiences and encourage name change for son

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. NTA.

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. NTA suggests therapy.

Therapy can help navigate the son’s desire to change name
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/9f610a53-0570-4a7c-8993-1965f79de42a.png)
Supportive comment for son’s name change decision.

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. Commenter says NTA.

Let him change his name, it’s HIS choice

16-year-old son wants to change his name to disassociate from grandfather. Mom disagrees. Commenter thinks mom is being selfish and will lose her son if she doesn’t consider his feelings.

Support for name change, tension with half-sister predicted

Compartmentalizing a terrible human through her son’s name
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/a4644a9b-bf5b-4258-a95c-b25652d25ff9.png)
Son wants to change name to distance from abusive grandfather. Supportive OP, resistant mom.

Name change debate gets heated, spouse’s opinion dismissed.

Dad gets support for son’s name change, suggests therapy

Supportive comment encourages son to follow his heart
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/016d92a0-cf36-4064-9894-a9834c43ec02.png)
Supportive dad helps son change name, wife struggles with trauma.

Supportive father stands up for son’s right to change name

Son wants to change name, NTA. Wife’s problem, not son’s.

Be compassionate with your wife, it’s a complicated situation

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. Family torn apart?

Supportive comment urges mom to accept son’s name change

Putting your child’s needs first

Son wants to change name after learning its dark history

Family therapy and individual therapy may help resolve this conflict

Supporting your son’s identity shouldn’t ruin your relationship with him

Support for son wanting to change name after discovering namesake’s crimes

Wife opposes name change, needs therapy for family’s dark history

Let him change his name now or he’ll do it later

Son wants to change name, mom disagrees. Commenters side son

Son wants to change name after creep, mom disagrees
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/36b5038a-d01e-4ede-8c00-a75df20b8ef4.png)
Support for son’s name change, criticism of justifying bad actions.

Empathy for the child: NTA, parents need to listen
