Feb 21 • 06:16 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania 15min

Over 750 People Changed Their Names in Big Cities Last Year, with Vilnius Residents Leading the Way

In 2025, over 750 individuals changed their names in Lithuania's major cities, with the highest number of requests coming from Vilnius.

According to data provided by the Vilnius municipality, in 2025, the Civil Registry Office in Vilnius received 605 requests for name changes, an increase from 517 in 2024. In other cities such as Kaunas, the number of adults who changed their names was 67 in 2025, compared to 72 in 2024. The city of Klaipėda saw around 50 name changes, while Šiauliai and Panevėžys recorded 22 and 12 requests, respectively. This trend highlights a growing inclination among residents in larger urban areas to adopt new identities.

Reasons behind these name changes often include dissatisfaction with the names given at birth, the desire to have two names, or the need for a simpler version of their names when moving abroad. Additionally, representatives from the Panevėžys municipality noted cases where women, intending to marry foreigners and integrate into another culture, opt for names more common in the respective country. This trend also touches upon sentimental motivations, with individuals seeking to align their legal names with the names they've been commonly addressed by throughout their lives.

The phenomenon indicates broader cultural and personal shifts within Lithuanian society, particularly in urban environments. As individuals seek to enhance their cultural integration or personal identity through their names, these changes reflect evolving societal norms regarding identity and the importance of personal agency in name selection. The increase in requests, especially from major cities like Vilnius, signifies a notable trend in how individuals in Lithuania view their identities, with implications for personal relationships, cultural integration, and self-expression.

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