Our Birth Name can be considered our overall Mission and Structure in life. It will not change. We can, however, update or enhance our name vibration and give it new energy and direction to an extent (and therefore, to our life experience also), through modifying or changing our name. This will never replace or alter our original Map or Mission, but it will definitely give some extra splashes of colour and flavour.
Something like shortening our first name, or dropping our middle name in day-to-day life is a very common thing to do, and because that ‘new’ name is repeatedly written and spoken, it gives an additional layer (which is called an Overlay Name in your report - if applicable).
Sometimes we change our name after marriage, or we might even choose a whole new identity and name for various reasons. Again, even with an entirely new name, we will never alter or replace our original soul plan. The longer we use an overlay name however, the more depth it will take on and will influence our original plan.
Pet-names / nick-names don’t generally count as an overlay name however. Probably the easiest scenario to envisage is how you usually write your name on ‘semi-official’ paperwork or how you introduce yourself when you include your surname. What name do you use on your social media profiles, general form-filling, email accounts and signatures, parcel deliveries etc. (The more ‘official’ paperwork such as passport, mortgage, tax info etc will generally be your full birth name.)
In some cases, our overlay name(s) could actually clash with our birth name codes, and make some things even more challenging! (This could also be viewed as a ‘fast-track’ though so definitely not to be interpreted as a negative thing!) Other times the new codes may add a level of harmony or added activation to our talents. As a general guide, Overlay Names will add depth as to how our Mission might play out.
EXAMPLES of OVERLAY NAMES:
Let's say we have someone who was named Elizabeth Jane Doe. This is her Birth Name, and will be the basis of her Life Map.
Throughout her school years, Elizabeth dropped her middle name on almost everything she ever wrote her name on, so her Overlay Name (1) is Elizabeth Doe.
Her family and a few friends called her Lizzie, but she never referred to herself this way, and never wrote 'Lizzie Doe' on anything. This means that Lizzie is just a nickname, and is not considered an Overlay Name.
At the end of Elizabeth's schooling, she decided to drop the name Elizabeth altogether, and legally changed her name to Jane Doe. This now becomes Ovelay Name (2).
When Jane (Elizabeth) is in her early 40's, she gets married, and decides to use her partner's surname as her own. As the surname is Blane, she decides to drop Jane and bring back her original birth name of Elizabeth. So Overlay Name (3) is now Elizabeth Blane.
Throughout each name change, Elizabeth's Birth Name is the driving force. Each Overlay Name however, brings in additional codes which influence her Life Map for the duration of time each name is used.
Now, you may not feel it necessary to find out the Overlay Name Codes for a name you used in high school, or even many years ago. Generally, I would suggest if you have a name currently that is different to your Birth Name - including a dropped middle name - THIS is the name to include.
Of course, if you have any Overlay names, you can choose to find out what Codes they bring in for you, through the options available such as through the Advanced or Deluxe package, or via an Add On.