My husband did change his name legally when he was about 22. He was named after his father, a very abusive, drunken man, and had always hated the constant association with his father.

I wouldn't say it brought him closure, but it did bring him some relief from that constant reminder of his father. Don't expect the name change to solve your problems. It won't. But, if you consider it a start as being really you, I personally don't see any problem with it.

He received some flack from members of his family, but that was to be expected. The dysfunction in that family is horrendous. He just stood his ground and what choice did they have but to go along. Every now and then one of them will call him Junior. It's just that way. But he doesn't even think of himself at all by that old name anymore. He's been his new name longer now than he was his old name.