
Quoting
Clark v Arthur
"The parent seeking to change the child's surname has the burden of proving that the change will further the child's best interests." Barabas v. Rogers, 868 S.W.2d 283, 287 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1993). Among the criteria for determining whether changing a child's surname will serve the child's best interests are: (1) the child's preference, (2) the change's potential effect on the child's relationship with each parent (3) the length of time the child has had its present surname, (4) the degree of community respect associated with the present and proposed surname, and (5) the difficulty, harassment, or embarrassment that the child may experience from bearing either its present or its proposed surname. Id.