05.04.2026 19:41
Seyfullah Gökyıldız, who runs a business in Rize, officially changed his name to 'Atom', a nickname given to him by his friends that he has identified with. Gökyıldız updated all his official documents, from his driver's license to his property deeds, with his new name. He said, "I was Seyfullah for 48 years, and from now on I will continue my life as Atom. This name gives me immense self-confidence; I feel stronger."
In the city center of Rize, a tradesman named Seyfullah Gökyıldız, 48 years old, started to be referred to as 'Atom' in his friend circle and on social media due to his energetic personality.
HE UPDATED ALL HIS OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS FROM HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE TO HIS DEEDS
Gökyıldız, who adopted the nickname 'Atom' that became synonymous with him as people around him constantly responded to the question 'How are you?' with 'I am like Atom', decided to change his official name. Believing that there was no other person with the name 'Atom' in his research, Gökyıldız applied to the court to change his name. After the legal process was completed, Gökyıldız's name was officially changed to 'Atom'. Those who hear his name, especially in institutions, are surprised as Atom Gökyıldız updated all his official documents, from his driver's license to his deeds, with his new name.
“I AM UNIQUE IN THE WORLD”
Describing the process of his nickname becoming his name, Atom Gökyıldız said, "Besides my close circle, friends on social media call me 'Atom'. Then this became serious. I said that the name Atom is very beautiful. I did some research. I did not come across the name Atom in my own research in the world either. The state has such a right to change names, I took it to court. Then we changed our name to Atom. When friends see me on the street and ask 'How are you?', I would always say 'I am like Atom'. So it is something that has become synonymous with me. I liked the name very much, and when I realized that there is no equivalent of it in the world, we decided to change it. There is atom toast, there is atom juice, but I have not come across the name Atom. According to my own research, I am unique in the world," he said.
“THIS NAME GIVES ME EXCESSIVE CONFIDENCE”
Stating that he renewed all his official documents after the name change, Gökyıldız said, "Everything official on me has changed. Everything changes from the driver's license to the identity card, bank cards, and even deeds. Because you are being reborn. This name gives me excessive confidence. I feel stronger. I was Seyfullah for 48 years, and from now on, I will continue my life as Atom. It was my nickname, something that has become synonymous with me. When I changed my name, I did not feel any strangeness," he expressed.
“THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE SURPRISED, THEY SAY ‘IS THIS A JOKE?’”
Gökyıldız also shared the reactions of those who heard his new name, saying, "When they call me from banks, they say, 'Excuse me, I might be wrong, but is your name Atom?' I say, 'Yes, my name is Atom.' There are people who are surprised. They ask, 'What is your name?' I say, 'Atom.' They say, 'I didn't understand,' I say, 'the name is Atom.' They are surprised, saying, 'Is it real?' There are also those who say, 'Is this a joke?' when we come to an official institution. Now there are those who react negatively, asking, 'What is Atom, where did it come from?' There are also those who find it a different name and congratulate me. Some say, 'We criticized it at first, but it is a nice name.' Some others make jokes about 'elemental transformation'," he said.