I know someone whose friend changed her name from something somewhat common and "nice" like "Susan Smith" to something, also common and nice, like "Claire Hanford" - no family significance or anything deep, she just didn't feel like a Susan Smith anymore. She had been married for 15+ years and had a profession and everything - people all just had to start calling her by her new name - still has the same job and the same husband, and about 7 years with her new name now.
Soooo... I guess that means if she can do it, you can too!