I wonder about this too. If a name change were to take place, would people still know who you were? but I think DELICIOUSSURPRISE had a great idea too. I am sure if you do an AKA or Formerly, everyone will figure it out.

I'm almost willing to bet a lot of people recognize your icon more than your user name. Try it. If it creates a lot of confusion at first, that's normal. Might take a month or so before people recognize the new name with the icon but if you really don't like it, you should do what you want.

'Rockin with a Cock In' had a good idea when she changed hers - she's now listed as 'Kris (Rockin)'. Just put your former name in brackets after your new name.

I may be in the minority here but unless your name really bothers you keep it. I think about changing mine but after close to three years, people know me as Liz2, so I just kept it. I speed read posts and reviews so I don't necessarily check for changes and icons and names do it for me.

(Seeing how I did this, too, this shouldn't be a surprise...) I recommend displaying both your former and your current name for a solid month or two, while still keeping the same icon. I associate icons with names, so if only one changes a little bit, I might notice, but it wouldn't throw me off.

For instance, while I'm used to seeing "Shellz31" she could probably change to "Shellz" (dropping the 31) and as long as she kept the same profile icon, the transition (for me) would be seamless. Changing from "Destri" to "LadyMindwarp" is a more noticeable change, but I associate your lovely shoe icon with your name, which would help.

After you've had both names up for a bit, then I think a change to just one name and/or a different icon would be smoother.

Eh, I did mine completely differently than everyone else has recommended. I went from Jonsbabydoll to TitsMcScandal in a day, no little helpful hints in my name just did it. I did start a thread announcing the name change, but besides that nothing. People dealt easily.

I did keep the same icon, but that was more out of the fact that I like my icon here over not confusing people.

First, I want to really thank all of your for your input. I'm still mulling the whole thing over....

I made the change and kept the same picture. I have a little note on my profile addressing the change but it has been quite awhile now; I doubt anyone would be confused anymore. I think the URL for your profile stays with your original registered name, though.

I've had a couple of acquaintances change their names on LJ, and my brain just fills in the old name every time I see them. Or did, until I started to get confused as to which was which. So I'm in the resistant-to-change category, but if you keep the old name next to the new one for a really really long time, it might work for people like me.