When entering names into your Ancestry Family Tree, it's important to be mindful of variations, official changes, nicknames, titles, and suffixes.

Name variations

Name variations are different ways of spelling or shortening given names or surnames. For example, William might be known as Bill or Billy, while Robert might go by Bob, Bobby, or Rob.

For surnames, variations can include extra letters or different spellings, like Larsen being spelled as Larson or with an extra "s" spelled as Larssen.

For first or given names, some people named John might simply go by John, not necessarily Johnathan, and similarly, some women named Eliza might not have Elizabeth as their full name. However, it's important only to assume they used a longer version of a name if you've seen evidence of it in records.

Since many people in the past couldn't read or write, spelling variations in names is common. Even if someone's last name was spelled a certain way, it doesn't mean it's accurate, as they might never have written their name themselves.

Before deciding on their name, it's important to review all available records carefully to make sure you're handling name variations correctly. Keeping notes and writing comments can help you track these name variations.

For help finding records for people with different spellings or variations of their name, see Searching with Spelling Variations.

Name changes

Name changes are typically the result of events in a person’s life. For example, this often occurs with immigrant ancestors, especially those coming to the United States. Sometimes, people also change their names to escape their past or for other personal reasons, like adoption or taking on a stepfather's name.  These changes can involve the surname, given name, or both. Sometimes, there's a formal process for changing names, and you might find documents like courthouse records or naturalization paperwork that show the change.

Adding another name

From a browser

1. Go to the person’s profile page in your family tree.
2. Click on the Facts tab, then select + Add in the Timeline column.
3. In the drop-down menu, select Name.
4. In the name fields, enter their name.
5. (Optional) Add supporting media and sources by selecting Attach media and Attach source on the left.
6. Choose whether this is their preferred name or an alternate name by checking or not checking the box.
   • If the preferred box is checked, the name will be their preferred name, and you'll see this name at the top of their profile and on the family tree chart.
   • If the preferred box is not checked, the name will be an alternate name, which will be listed as an alternate name in their facts.
7. Click Add. 

Adding an also known as fact

From a browser

1. Go to the person’s profile page in your family tree.
2. Click on the Facts tab, then select + Add in the Timeline column.
3. In the drop-down menu, choose Also Known As.
4. In the Description field, enter the alternate name.
5. (Optional) Add supporting media and sources by selecting Attach media and Attach source on the left.
6. Click Add. 

From the app

1. Go to the person’s profile page in your family tree.
2. Tap the + in a green circle. If you don't see it, try pulling up the profile until it fills your screen. Then, you should see the green circle with a plus sign.
3. Tap Type (Android) or Choose Type (iOS) and select Also Known As.
4. In the Description field, enter the alternate name.
5. Tap Save or Add.

Nicknames

A nickname is another name we use for someone instead of their official name. Nicknames are often based on things like how someone looks, their personality, their relationships, or a funny story.

Unlike name variations, nicknames are entirely different from a person's name. For example, William might be called Rusty because he has red hair, and John might go by "Buddy" because his brother used to call him that, and it stuck. Sometimes, these nicknames appear in records.

Adding a nickname

From a browser

1. Go to the person’s profile page in your family tree.
2. Click on the Facts tab, then select + Add in the Timeline column.
3. In the drop-down menu, choose Custom Event.
4. In the Fact label field, enter “Nickname.”
5. In the Description field, enter their nickname.
6. (Optional) Add supporting media and sources by selecting Attach media and Attach source on the left.
7. Click Add. 

You can also make a note or write a comment about their nickname.

From the app

1. Go to the person’s profile page in your family tree.
2. Tap the + in a green circle.
3. Tap Type > Custom Fact (Android) or Choose Type > Custom under Custom Fact (iOS).
4. In the Fact label field, enter “Nickname.”
5. In the Description field, enter their nickname.
6. Tap Save or Add.

Titles, prefixes, and honorifics

Most people are not born with titles like "Reverend," "Doctor," or "Colonel". These titles can also change over time, like going from a captain to a major to a general. Some people might even hold multiple titles, like being both a reverend and a doctor. Because people are not born with these titles, and they could change over time, don’t include them as part of their name. 

While titles aren't officially part of their name, it’s still important to acknowledge people who have earned them and document it in your tree.

Adding a title

From a browser

1. Go to the person’s profile page in your family tree.
2. Click on the Facts tab, then select + Add in the Timeline column.
3. In the drop-down menu, choose Title.
4. Add the date and location where they earned or received their title.
5. In the Description field, enter their Title.
6. (Optional) Add supporting media and sources by selecting Attach media and Attach source on the left.
7. Click Add. 

From the app

1. Go to the person’s profile page in your family tree.
2. Tap the + in a green circle. If you don't see it, try pulling up the profile until it fills your screen. Then, you should see the green circle with a plus sign.
3. Tap Choose Type and select Title.
4. Add the date and location where they earned or received their title.
5. In the Description field, enter their Title.
6. Tap Save or Add.

Suffixes

A name suffix is an extra part of someone's name that comes after their given name. It can show family relationships, rank, or special titles. For example, "Jr." means junior, and "Sr." means senior. These suffixes give more information about a person's name.

When entering a name with suffixes, enter the suffix into the suffix field provided. 

Frequently asked /hc/en-us/articles/53933378962707-Frequently-Asked-Questions

What last name should I use for people in my tree whose surname changed?
When adding someone to your family tree, use their last name at birth (maiden name for women or bachelor name for men). This ensures that their original family ties are recorded, even if their name change was due to marriage, adoption, or other reasons. 

If you don't know someone's last name at birth, leave their last name blank or enter five underscores: "_____." Leaving last name fields blank or using five underscores to create a blank line helps you later identify where further research is needed.

How do I enter multiple last names or surnames? 
In some cultures, a person’s full legal name requires two last names.
 
The first comes from their father, and the second is from their mother (which is her maiden name). This keeps the mother's maiden name in the family for one more generation than in other cultures.
 
When someone's full legal name has more than one last name, enter both into the last name or surname field. If there are two fields, use both, starting with the paternal last name. If there's only one field, enter both names separated by a space. Ancestry will recognize them as one last name if they're in the same field separated by a space.  Don't use hyphens. Hyphens make a new last name, so unless that’s the case, avoid hyphenating names unless necessary. 

When a person’s given name changes, which names should you make preferred and alternate?
After a given name change, you decide which name to make preferred and which to make an alternate.

When deciding, consider the person's desires and wishes about what they want to be called. Some people prefer their birth name, while others prefer the name they used later in life. Whichever you choose, be consistent and make a note or write a comment about it in your tree so that you know and others who use your research can understand it, too.