State laws regulate name changes in the United States.

Usually a person can adopt any name desired for any reason. There are differences in specific requirements among U.S. states, but usually a court order is needed to change names (which would be applied for in a state court). It is necessary to plead that the name change is not for a fraudulent or other illegal purpose (such as evading a lien or debt, or for defaming someone.)

The applicant may be required to give a somewhat reasonable explanation for wanting to change his/her name. The applicant may be required to post legal notices in newspapers to announce the name change. Generally the judge has judicial discretion to grant or deny a change of name, especially if the name change is for "frivolous" or "immoral" purposes.