From Maldonado to Silva, from Barrera to Döll and from Marileo to Antileo: three Chileans tell why they decided to change their last names

A couple of days ago Raimundo Doël Barrera was called Raimundo Barrera Döel.

At 18, that raimundo, the barrier, heard for the first time about Law 21.224, which allows the legalties to request from the Civil Registry the change of order of their last names.That happened on Mothers Day of 2021, when Sebastián Piñera with the Minister of Women, Mónica Zalaquett, promulgated her in La Moneda.

The law that also allows parents - by mutual agreement - decide the order of the surnames of their sons or daughters, was held by Raimundo, since it would allow him to fulfill an old promise he had made to his grandfather as a child.When he was barely 7 years old and he told him that the last name Döll would not disappear from the family.

“From a very young age my grandfather told me his family history and the history of the last name.I remember that he told me a detail, he told me that the last name was going to die with him because he had four daughters.It caught my attention.He moved me that the last name was going to die so at that time I started thinking, ”recalls Raimundo who details because he decided to make a redness in his last name _

“Beyond that the last name died with him, my grandfather told me that by his last name they bothered him a lot when he was a boy.They made bullying because in English Doll means doll, but it is a German surname.Even so, the way he told me, and the way in which he defended him made me proud.That he defended him by cape and sword, his bond with his father, all that clicks me, ”he says.

From that day of the mothers, Raimundo was very attentive to the entry into force of the law. His mother, who has some contacts in the Civil Registry, promised to keep him informed.In the process he also talked with his father, with whom he maintains a good relationship and whom he sees periodically, the decision to place his last name in second place.

“I think my dad never thought that this could be realized, but when he began to see that the law advanced, he took the weight.I believe that he will complicate what they will say, because in most cases the person who changes the last name is for conflict with his father.But I also think he understands that it is not something against him, ”says Raimundo who adds:

“My father was a complicated issue.Culturally the theme of the last name is very important, but he understands and supports it.My dad has always been super good and present (...) I explained that the paternal surname is first cultural and patriarchal and that the change of surname, beyond my grandfather, for me it is also a bit to break that stigmathat man has to put the last name first.That this also implies a matter of gender equality. ”

With the decision taken and less than a year after the promulgation of the law, Raimundo was the first Chilean to carry out the procedure.On January 11 he entered the Office of the Civil Registry as Raimundo Barrera and left as Rayford Döll.His grandfather was there, rgulloso from the fulfillment of his promise that his grandson did when he was a child.

In this regard, Raimundo reflects: “I am the first person to make the change with the new law.That was strong the same, because it marks a precedent.I am still glad that the first case is different from the conventional, which is a conflict with the father figure.I am proud that the change is for my grandfather.He is very happy, as he still doesn't believe what just happened.It is something that I said as a boy, but now that he sees him as tangible and that is very happy. ”

"That surname was a constant reminder that there is someone in your life who is not"

While Raimundo became the first Chilean to change his last names through Law 21,224, Francisca Maldonado was stressed that that would be the last day that he would take that last name first.She did not want to spend another day that Silva, her mother's last name, was the one to mark her identity.

She, a 24 -year -old commercial engineer graduate, since the promulgation of the law periodically reviewed the Official Gazette to see its publication and start immediately to an office to do the procedure.That happened this January 11, when 8:30 in the morning she was already in the Civil Registry to try to change her last name.

One of the reasons for his rush to do the procedure was drank to soon be held the degree ceremony in his career.She hoped to honor her mother with the last name Silva being first in the cardboard.

“I spent a listener listening to a last name that I didn't like.I know my dad, he had fleeting appearances in my life, but he was never really.Today I have no contact with him, ”says Francisca, who when arriving at the Civil Registry she was quickly attended by an official.

“It was the first time that she did the procedure so she excused herself and asked me for patience, I said we do it together.She attended me extremely well, the girl was very attentive, at no time I felt questioned or insecure, it was all super expedite.I thought that they were going to question me a little, because the law says that it is a change that can only be done once in life, but no, there was no tied, ”says Francisca, which at that time was called FranciscaSilva

The reasons for change, says Francisca, were not others that the neglect of his parent.“This was very exciting, I had been waiting for this from a very young age.I don't know why but I always found my paternal last name was horrible.It is Maldonado, then since I was a child they told me that he was a relative of Paty Maldonado and I told them no.Ha ha, but serious, finally took it out it was such a great relief.The last name is a cross that loads of abandonment, absence and deficiencies and that you can finally free yourself, then it was very rich.I am very happy, ”says Francisca who adds:

“It is very funny because my sister is 14 years old and you still can't change your last name, but she already said that once he turns 18, the first thing she will do is change her last name.My dad has another daughter with another mother who is also going to change it.Imagine three of his children do not want to have your last name should be a kick in the ugly guada.It is a little justice, an extremely symbolic issue that should hurt them, ”she emphasizes.

On the change of last name, Francisca Silva Maldonado, says he already told all his friends who should get used to his new name.She also comments that she will change her identity soon on social networks.

“This is going to be a super tedious issue because although the Civil Registry is responsible for notifythat we are willing to do all these procedures so as not to continue having a last name.I already warned everyone from my change of surname, my friends are already changing my name and contacts and planning to do it later in the other social networks.On Instagram the combination of Fran Silva is already busy, but we will have to look for something that is beautiful.At work I also notified, everyone supported me, she had a good reception, ”she said.

Where Francisca also received support was at home.There her mother and grandparents of her celebrated the news: they are happy with the change of surname.More than my mother she feels honored, she is happy that I do not take my dad's last name, she says that is the most important thing, because she knew that for me it was something painful, that it bothered me, ”she emphasizes.

"My idea was to bury this surname"

Who still does not perform the process, but hopes to do it in the next few days is Víctor Marileo Antileo.He years ago, since he was a teenager, dispossess the paternal surname of his social networks where he presents himself as Victor Antileo.Despite this, he could not do the same in his official identification.

Victor's reasons to leave his father's last name behind have to abandon his abandonment. “Everywhere he used my mother's last name.I was bothered to see my father's last name first in class lists or ranks for the hospital, also when they call me for the first last name, I feel it does not belong to me, I do not feel identified with that last name, ”he says.

“I don't know my father.I came to see only when he was 24 years old and there is no connection, empathy or belonging.There is no relationship or compatibility of a child's father.I saw my dad more than 10 years ago, but he didn't generate anything.I feel that it is a tribute to my mother to take the last name Antileo first, she died but I think she would agree, ”says Victor who is 37 years old and lives in Huechuraba.

With respect to the law, Victor assures that her spirit is fair, mainly because it is mostly mothers who are responsible for children.

“In Chile there are many moms who, as a family, have to make them as a mother and father.I feel that this law is important for this type of case.And also not only for cases of absent parents, it is also a way to give back to the woman that her children carry her last name in the first place, ”she says.

With respect to its own change of identity, it ensures that this law will materialize the dream of changing the last name that has been simplifying a process that could only be done through judicial means.

“I always wanted to change my last name, my idea was to bury this surname.But before it was a complicated and cumbersome procedure.You needed lawyers and make a complex paperwork.However, now that this law came out it is much easier and more accessible.I will change my last names yes or yes this year, this year I do not pass with this last name that I do not like.I have no children, but now I think that if I have them, I would like to take his mother's first last name, ”she says.

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