In a quiet corner of Seoul, 75-year-old Han Jeong-yeon reflected on her decision to change her name. For 65 years, she went by Choon-ja, a moniker she grew to despise for being old-fashioned. In 2014, as name changes surged in popularity, Han seized the opportunity to forge a new identity.

“I’m happy I changed my name back then,” Han said. “As a senior citizen, people rarely call me by my first name outside the family. But it’s enough to know I won’t feel embarrassed when someone calls me by my name when I go to a bank or the hospital.”