One of the results of making friends with my aunt again is that I am back in the will. I hasten to add that I am only back in the will because she tried to leave her money to my children, bypassing me, but was told they would have to pay inheritance tax. Now my aunt may hate me, but she hates the tax man even more. So back in the will I am.
On one condition; that I add the name Benedetti to mine.
I have always rather liked the name Benedetti and so have no objections to doing this. In fact I have for many years felt not only cheated of my birthright (inheritance from my grandfather which my father blew), but also my roots and Italian family. So it was in cheery spirits that I sat down in front of my laptop to rectify the mishaps of my parents on the deedpoll website.
It suddenly occurred to me as I sat there filling in my new name that I have also always felt rather cheated when it came to my christian name. I only have one. Everyone else I know has at least two, if not three. Some spoilt brats even have four. But I have only ever had Helena. How mean was that?
Never one to let a bargain go I thought ‘why not add another Christian name while I’m here?’ I mean it still costs the same and I may never have the chance again.
Now all that was left to decide was the name. I did not ponder for long. Emily briefly crossed my mind, after my heroine Emily Bronte. Alice is another favourite. But the name that hit me, stronger than any, was that of my favourite (ageing) ballet dancer come literary wife come writer come party girl: the audacious and glorious Zelda Fitzgerald.
So I am now Helena Zelda Benedetti Frith Powell. And not at all eccentric. Now where did I put my pointe shoes….?
Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2010
Does that mean a change of blog website, and will the new name be on the new book?
I like the name Benedetti, it sounds like a Renaissance artist. Or maybe writer?
You didn’t REALLY change your name to all that….?
Hello Katariina and Mimi
No plans to change anything else for now, blog and books will remain, but yes, I really did change my name…
Hx
Well done. Concratulations! Sounds like a wonderful name (not that it wasn´t before).
What a mother wouldn`t do for her clildren – and for the will.
It looks like I am hooked in your blog, and your books.
You have the special (good) way of writing about funny things- which makes me laugh, sad things – which makes me think, and true things about life which are worth of writing.
I am not sure if you told already something about your new book, but could you tell us some tiny little secrets about it? What does is it tell about? Already waiting for the release.
Nina
Oh I love your new name!
Just curious, do you have a nickname? Besides Mum of course…
That’s it, I’ve decided to change mine also. I’ve never really liked my name anyway.
(I know you must think I’m joking but I’m not.)
Love the name, and I adore Zelda F. so good choice. Here in Hong Kong it is apperently the privelage of chinese people to add an english name to their name and also to change it if they want to. The chinese name stays the same since that has a special meaning.
Hello girls – yes I do have a nickname: Hels, not very romantic. And Katariina – go girl, it feels great! But I do like your name.
The novel is about a woman called Sophie who moves to France with her husband and three young children and finds a bra in his bag…then she ends up running the vineyard he was meant to run and is romanced by various gorgeous characters.
Bye for now
Hx (aka HZBFP)
What an idea! I didn’t know it was that easy to change your name at least in the U.K Here in Italy it would be regarded with
the deepest suspicion and would have to go at least through the
Court – as you’ve seen with your aunt your own family name gives you your identity and only for dire reasons would you want to fiddle with it, tho’ of course an inheritance is always
a reason for tacking on someone’s surname! Zelda, I wish I’d
thought of that, just saying her name conjures up a whole era
not to mention her poignant life.
I like the Benedetti as it has a definite allure and is part of you anyway. Not so sure about Zelda – a whim it would seem. Why not a Swedish name which belongs in some corner of an icy field? But it is your name that is being discussed and you have chosen.
My wife’s family had to change their name for a castle, but it wasn’t a particularly special one and didn’t look much. Still, it was a sort of castle. I think I might change my name for a bungalow in Balham. Arthur
Hello Arthur – I see your point on Zelda but I just love it. What can I say? Do not on any account change your name, and especially not for property in Balham…
x
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