Concept
Identity Renaming
Psychology & Mind
Culture & IdentityWhat is identity renaming?
Identity renaming is the intentional act of adopting a new personal name to mark significant psychological transformation, personal autonomy, and self-actualization. It serves as an overt symbolic break from past constraints and social expectations to align external designation with internal truth.
In short
Identity renaming represents a profound rite of self-determination where an individual claims a name that mirrors their evolving core values. Frequently accompanying profound life crises or spiritual awakenings, the choice affirms personal sovereignty over inherited identities. By renaming oneself, a person steps into active authorship of their own life story.
Key facts
- Why do individuals choose to change their given names in adulthood?
- To reflect hard-won maturity, heal from past trauma, shed restrictive social expectations, and signify personal rebirth.
- What psychological benefit comes from self-naming?
- It reinforces personal agency and empowers individuals to see themselves as the active protagonists of their personal journey.
- What does the name Lunna represent to the artist in Interview 9?
- Derived from the Latin word for moon, Lunna symbolizes rebirth after overcoming psychological hardships and deciding to live her truth.
Overview
Identity renaming operates as a transformative ritual across psychological and cultural domains. Names given at birth frequently carry familial expectations, historical burdens, or outdated social roles that no longer represent an individual's mature consciousness. Choosing an original name enables a person to establish clear psychological boundaries and manifest an authentic self-concept. This intentional naming practice affirms that identity is a dynamic, authored creation rather than an immutable assignment.
In the Agency editorial
In Interview 9, the artist explains the deeply personal significance behind choosing the name Lunna. Adapting the Latin term for moon, she describes the name as a symbol of rebirth following profound psychological challenges. She reflects that her former name no longer fit who she had become, and that adopting Lunna represented her decision to become the protagonist of her own life and live her truth.
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Also from these editions: concepts
Also from these editions: terms
Related terms
- chrysalisnoun
- The transitional pupal stage of a butterfly encased in a protective shell, often used figuratively to describe personal renewal or metamorphosis.
- Protagonistnoun
- The principal character or leading figure in a dramatic production, novel, or historical movement.
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Sources
- Creative.9 - Lunna (opens in a new tab), Agency Brasil