Changing one's name often sparks interest and discussion, especially when it comes to public figures. For some, it is a way to emphasize a new stage in life, for others – an opportunity to express themselves better, while some take this step for practical reasons. In Latvia, there are many well-known people who at some point rejected their previous name or supplemented it with a new one, writes Grani.lv.
Recently, actress Elina Boyarkina announced such a decision. She officially received a second name and is now called Elina Astra Boyarkina. On social media, the actress showed her old and new passports, noting that she perceives these changes as a personal renewal. The new document was issued on May 12, and from that day her new name officially came into effect.
Esika Zundovska, formerly known as Liene Zundovska, also talked about changing her name. At the beginning of the new season of the show "Slavenības. Bez filtra," she admitted that along with her new surname, she decided to take a new name as well. According to her, she wanted a name that sounded more international, suited her style, and matched her inner self-perception. At the same time, she emphasized that she is grateful to her mother for her previous name but felt that it no longer reflects her current identity.
One of the most discussed cases was the name change of former politician Aldis Gobzems. He became Arigo Togo, and this decision caused a wide public resonance. Later, he explained that he did not seek to attract attention to the changes. According to him, the decision was related to living in Spain: Latvian names are difficult to pronounce there, and they are often incorrectly recorded in documents.
Former reality show participant Liga Graudinia also changed her name. Today she is known as Kerkira Graudinia. She shared that Kerkira is her church name, which she associates with something beautiful, bright, and even divine. According to Graudinia, the name Liga seemed too soft to her, while she felt more strength in the name Darta.
An interesting story is also related to actor and former politician Artuss Kaimiņš. At birth, he was named Arturs Kaimiņš, but in society, he had long been known as Artuss. After being elected to the 12th Saeima, it became known that officially in documents he was still Arturs. In 2015, Kaimiņš decided to align his documents with the name under which his colleagues, viewers, and supporters already knew him.
Actress Darta Danevica also did not always bear this name. Her parents named her Inese, but later, after moving from Jekabpils to Riga, she decided to change it. Danevica explained that she believes in the influence of sounds on a person. She perceived the name Inese as too soft, while in the name Darta she felt more strength. According to the actress, after changing her name, she truly began to feel more confident and stronger.
Such stories show that a name for a person can be more than just a record in a passport. It can be associated with personal changes, self-perception, a creative image, a new chapter in life, or even practical circumstances.
In Latvia, a person can change their name from the age of 15 if there is a legal basis for it. For example, if the name hinders a person from integrating into society or if they want to add a second name. As for public figures, such decisions almost always become noticeable, while the personal reason remains at the core of each case.
