Having the Same Name.

Rattus · Jun 2, 2009

Hi Guys,

I don't know if this question has appeared before, so just steer me in the right direction if it has.

I've just googled my name and found that someone has exactly the same name as I do (poor thing), and I am now wondering what to do. Do I keep my name as I have my own website and blog already, change it slightly (insert initial perhaps) or go with a pen name?

Does anyone else have this problem and what have you done about it? Please tell me I'm panicking over nothing .....

Thanks

Annayna · Jun 2, 2009

Keep your name or use a pen name.. I dont like my name so I'm going with a Pen name

Wayne K · Jun 3, 2009

According to Google I'm a billionaire computer geek from Boston. I like that, so I'm keeping it.

I sent him an e-mail a few years ago asking him if he'd like to hire himself...I didn't hear back.

dpaterso · Jun 3, 2009

Let your agent or publisher worry about this when the time comes. Until then, concentrate on writing the novel.

-Derek

Linda Adams · Jun 3, 2009

Mine is extremely common, and there's not much I can do about it.

Bufty · Jun 3, 2009

You're panicking over nothing. :Hug2:

The chances of nobody else having the same name as someone else is remote.

Indeed the chances of dreaming up a name that nobody else has is probably equally as remote - the fact it doesn't turn up on Google doesn't automatically mean nobody else has it.

Rattus said:
Hi Guys,

I don't know if this question has appeared before, so just steer me in the right direction if it has.

I've just googled my name and found that someone has exactly the same name as I do (poor thing), and I am now wondering what to do. Do I keep my name as I have my own website and blog already, change it slightly (insert initial perhaps) or go with a pen name?

Does anyone else have this problem and what have you done about it? Please tell me I'm panicking over nothing .....

Thanks

Grebbsy · Jun 3, 2009

I wouldn't worry unless you share your name with a well-known author, or (like me!) with an agent...

Stijn Hommes · Jun 3, 2009

Grebbsy is right. Unless that other person works in the same writing-field as you, there's nothing to worry about.

Richard White · Jun 3, 2009

Having a rather common name (Heck, there are four Richard White's working at my company, much less the number of authors who share the same name), I use my middle initial as a way to identify me.

Luckily, there's only one other prominent Richard C. White on Amazon and he writes religious texts. So, even though we share the same name, I don't think there's much worry about our readership confusing the two of us.

Thump · Jun 3, 2009

My name is pretty unusual as my first name is French and my surname is South American and there still are several people with my name (including my mom

). In fact, someone with my exact name lived in my apartment just before I moved in! How's that for weird?

JamieB · Jun 3, 2009

An algebra book writer has the same name as me. I don't think anyone would confuse me with someone able to write algebra books!

archerjoe · Jun 3, 2009

Someone with the same name as me often writes strange letters to the editor of the local paper. When these are published, I get a lot of grief at the office. His latest letter was to complain about the plot on a TV show.

I love the idea of the Michael Bolton character in Office Space.

benbradley · Jun 3, 2009

Rattus said:
Hi Guys,

I don't know if this question has appeared before, so just steer me in the right direction if it has.

I've just googled my name and found that someone has exactly the same name as I do (poor thing), and I am now wondering what to do. Do I keep my name as I have my own website and blog already, change it slightly (insert initial perhaps) or go with a pen name?

Does anyone else have this problem and what have you done about it? Please tell me I'm panicking over nothing .....

Thanks

Is this other person also an aspiring writer, or oherwise in the same field you're in where two people with the same name would be confusing? That could be a problem, otherwise I don't think there's anything to worry about. Look at the first entry in my blog on others with my name. One is a gay porn star, and the worst part is he's half my age...

narcolepticsloth · Jun 3, 2009

apparently i am running for governor of california.. i don think he has a chance.. and am a 6th grade teacher at harrison elementary but anyhoo-i wouldnt worry about it at all. though i might use a pen name myself, just found another person with my name that is a convicted felon and involved with the mexican mafia. huh....

Clair Dickson · Jun 3, 2009

There are several of me running around apparently. But they're all SOL now, because a google search for Clair Dickson brings me right to the top. =) Heh.

First write the book. Then get an agent. Then sell the book. Then, if it ever comes up, worry about the name.

Polenth · Jun 3, 2009

It hasn't been a problem for all the John Smiths in the world. They tend to add middle initials and stuff to John Smiths.

Bufty said:
The chances of nobody else having the same name as someone else is remote.

I've never met someone with my name (though I've met a couple using the first name as an internet name). Despite that, I still get people who see my sites online and know me for real who say "you can't be THAT Polenth". Because obviously it would be impossible for someone they know to run a website. I'm sure if I get a book published, the same thing will happen.

Which is a tangent, but I've always thought it was funny. They act as though there are dozens of me running around the place.

Wark · Jun 3, 2009

I'm thinking if I get published I might go with a pen name. I don't feel like dealing with people knowing it's me.

Keyan · Jun 3, 2009

Bufty said:
You're panicking over nothing. The chances of nobody else having the same name as someone else is remote.

Indeed the chances of dreaming up a name that nobody else has is probably equally as remote - the fact it doesn't turn up on Google doesn't automatically mean nobody else has it.

So true. I used a name that didn't show up on google, so I figured it would be an easy find. Then someone of the same name appeared in Facebook...

Rattus · Jun 3, 2009

Thanks for all your help, and I must say I've had a good chuckle.

It's good to know I am worried over nothing, and that my name isn't John Smith!

Matera the Mad · Jun 3, 2009

Some of me are in trouble with the law, and at least one isn't paying off her student loans (a credit hound called me at work!). So? :tongue

colealpaugh · Jun 3, 2009

It's been a nightmare for me.

--Adolph H.

JonSwift · Jun 3, 2009

Apparently I'm a famous Ohio basketball player. Here I thought I was a novelist.

Chauchat Butterfly · Jun 3, 2009

I don't share my name with anybody. It actually makes me feel kinda special.

Mythical Tiger · Jun 3, 2009

There's nothing to sweat over unless they've written a novel. If so, there will probably be some confusion among readers. Just my 2 cents though.

~Sam

Tika · Jun 3, 2009

Use your middle initial. That will help some

Tika

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