Expert: Peter Messaline - 1/11/2009

Question
Dear Peter,

My name is Claire and I'm an actress/opera singer. I have adopted a stage name of Freya Morgan as my birth name has already been used in the British Actors Equity. My problem is that on working on television programmes I have made a few friends, do I let them keep calling me Freya or do I tell them my name is Claire? And if it's the latter, how would I go around telling them that? Unfortunately nobody has ever told me what to do in this situation.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Claire

Answer
Thank you for your letter, with all the necessary background to make a useful answer possible.

There are all sorts of gradations between the two names in your situation. It's entirely your choice.

Many actors are usually called by their stage name, but old friends and family use their birth name.

I changed my name for the same reason as you, and dropped my birth name completely. In the UK, I believe, you can still do this, even without a deed poll (www.ukdps.co.uk). I am Peter Messaline on my passport, driving license, everything.

Some people go to the other extreme and have the stage name only for publicity and working, keeping the birth name for everything else. This means arranging with the bank so that cheques coming in for Freya Morgan should be accepted into Claire's account. It can be a problem when travelling -- you have to be sure that your travel documents all have the same name. This could be a problem if your engager is buying the ticket and arranging the visa.

Nice to be busy enough to have the problem!

PM