I was married to my amazing husband, Jeremy Fogel back in November. Before we got married we had discussed what I would do about my last name, and at that time it was decided that I would legally change my name to Fogel, but I would keep Clifford as my professional name. I felt lucky! I could have the best of both worlds. My husband felt happy that I was taking his name and I got to keep Clifford, the name I had when I decided I wanted to become an actress, as my professional name. But then I had a change of heart.
I live in Los Angeles, and many if not most of my friends work in the acting business in some capacity or another. If I met a stranger and introduced myself as Jackie Fogel, but later found out that they were in the “biz” I’d regret that I didn’t tell them I was Jackie Clifford…God forbid they weren’t able to find me later on because I gave them the wrong name! However, soon I realized that I was never Jackie Fogel, and that didn’t appeal to me either. I loved this new husband of mine so much and even though we’d been together for 5 years before we got married, something about being married did in fact feel different to me. I needed something to reflect that change. And, then I decided… I’m going full Fogel.
Funnily enough, as soon as I made the decision to go full Fogel I became re-inspired and even excited to do some actor tasks that until then had only filled me with dread. This one decision set some wheels in motion for me. It was as if all this time, deciding to go full Fogel was the missing piece to a puzzle I was putting together, and once I found that one piece I could move on to the next puzzle.
Looking back on why I wanted to keep Clifford as my professional name, I feel a sense of sentimentality for all that the name has meant to me, and all it means to me. And so here is my ode to my maiden name, Clifford. It’s the name that both of my parents, though they are divorced, still have. It’s the name that I was teased/given attention for having when I was younger because of the “Clifford the Big Red Dog” books. It’s an Irish last name, and I am quite proud of my Irish ancestry. In fact, I dug a little into the history of Clifford when I was younger and found out that most of the Irish Cliffords hailed from County Kerry, which endeared me to the name even more because Kerry also happens to be my beloved sister’s first name. And, I felt an even deeper connection to the name Clifford when I read at some Irish festival I attended once that Cliffords were once known for being poets, musicians, and doctors. In my mind, and in my ears, there is a simple elegance to the name. It has a nice ring to it. It’s who I was for most of my life. And as an actor, I was always told that I had a great name.
But, you know what… Fogel is great as an actor name too! Sure, it’s different than Clifford. But, there’s a confidence that I feel when I say I am a Fogel that’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before which tells me I’m on the right track. Plus, I’m embracing that the name change represents a new start for me. In German, Fogel means bird. I love that. Birds are wild yet delicate creatures and they can FLY! And, this may sound silly, but I’d like to think that a name that means bird suits me quite well… Plus, the sound Fogel makes has an almost comedic ring to it, and quite frankly I’m more funny than I was ever elegant! Basically, it fits me. And, I am happy with it.
To change your name or not to is a decision many a woman makes in her lifetime. There are several options and a plethora of reasons as to why each of us decides what we do with our names once we get married. Ultimately, it is a deeply personal decision. My advice, go with what feels right to you, and forget about the rest.
Good-bye Clifford… Hello Fogel!