Changing Your Last Name Legally: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing your last name legally can be a significant step, whether you're getting married, seeking a fresh start, or simply wanting to align your name with your identity. This guide will walk you through the process, providing essential information and resources to help you navigate the legal requirements and procedures involved.
1. **Abigail:** Meaning "my father is joy" or "father of joy," from Hebrew.
2. **Aaliyah:** Meaning "to ascend" or "to rise" in Arabic.
3. **Aanya:** Meaning "grace" or "mercy" in Sanskrit.
4. **Aariyah:** Meaning "noble" or "honorable" in Sanskrit.
5. **Aarushi:** Meaning "first rays of the sun" in Sanskrit.
6. **Abbigail:** A variant spelling of Abigail, meaning "my father is joy" or "father of joy," from Hebrew.
7. **Adalyn:** Meaning "noble" or "kind" in Old German.
8. **Adriana:** Meaning "dark" or "from Adria" in Latin.
9. **Alana:** Meaning "beautiful fairy" in Gaelic.
10. **Alaina:** Meaning "beautiful fairy" in Gaelic.
11. **Alexandra:** Meaning "defender of mankind" in Greek.
12. **Alice:** Meaning "noble" or "truthful" in German.
13. **Allison:** Meaning "noble" or "truthful" in German.
14. **Amelia:** Meaning "work" or "industrious" in Latin.
15. **Amy:** Meaning "beloved" in Latin.
16. **Anastasia:** Meaning "resurrection" in Greek.
17. **Andrea:** Meaning "manly" or "brave" in Greek.
18. **Angel:** Meaning "messenger of God" in Greek.
19. **Anna:** Meaning "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew.
20. **Annabelle:** Meaning "beautiful grace" in Hebrew.
21. **Anne:** Meaning "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew.
22. **Antoinette:** Meaning "invaluable" in French.
23. **Aria:** Meaning "air" or "song" in Italian.
24. **Arianna:** Meaning "very holy" in Greek.
25. **Ashley:** Meaning "ash tree meadow" in English.
26. **Aubrey:** Meaning "ruler of elves" in English.
27. **Audrey:** Meaning "noble strength" in English.
28. **Aurora:** Meaning "dawn" in Latin.
29. **Ava:** Meaning "bird" in Latin.
30. **Avery:** Meaning "ruler of elves" in English.
31. **Aviva:** Meaning "bird" in Hebrew.
32. **Ayla:** Meaning "moonlight" in Turkish.
33. **Bailey:** Meaning "bailiff" or "steward" in English.
34. **Barbara:** Meaning "foreign" or "stranger" in Greek.
35. **Beatrice:** Meaning "she who brings happiness" in Latin.
36. **Bella:** Meaning "beautiful" in Italian.
37. **Belle:** Meaning "beautiful" in French.
38. **Bernadette:** Meaning "brave bear" in German.
39. **Bethany:** Meaning "house of figs" in Hebrew.
40. **Betsy:** Meaning "God is my oath" in Hebrew.