On my birth certificate it says L I N D A. I have another spelling I like. Do I have to go thru the courts??

As long as you are not using the different spelling for the purpose of committing fraud, it is totally legal. It is considered a legal alias. I actually use one myself.

You can write it any way you want. You can use your middle name or any other name you like.

However on legal documents you need it to match your birth certificate. You will need to contact the Secretary of State's office in your state to understand how to legally change your name.

You may want to wait to see if you really like it.

You can write anything you want, or call yourself anything you want.

One time, when I had really bad service at Orange Julius, I told the cashier (I was alone) 'Greetings. We are the Bentusi. The Unbound express their gratitude at your services. We wish you peace on your quest to restore peace to the solar winds,' and left. She thinks I'm weird now.

(Google 'Kiith Soban' to understand the above stuff.)

You can write it any way you want.

Heck - you can write it as "Fred".

But whatever is on your birth certificate is what is legal.

I'd just write it that way for now since Lindah is weird.

You can call yourself legally whatever you like.

But if you sign legal documents you have to use your real birth documented name.

legal documents would require a legal name. you can use LINDAH for everyday stuff but it will not be acknowledged legally. save up your pennies and change it ...if it is so important to you.

How about LINDUH?