I think you're misunderstanding. It very much is like this, basically everywhere, including were I am. But I'm saying that, it's that way because civilization has fucked up its priorities and government is grossly overstepping reality. Because in reality the government doesn't control what your name actually is, it just controls what it legally is in that country. Which, yeah, unfortunately has a pretty strong hold on you. But, still isn't how actual names work.

Think of it this way: if nuclear war happened and all government databases and registries were wiped away, your name would still be whatever you say it is. If you get abducted by aliens, and they decide to call you something in alien, that becomes your new name. If you get sucked through a time machine wormhole into the past or future, your literal name is whatever you set it to be. Because that's how names work: names are just what people call you - not what a government database has written down for your id number.

If your name is written down in the government database, and that aligns with your actual name, then yeah, it is your name - but not because it's from the government. The government cannot set your name. Only you, and maybe the people around you can.

A government doesn't have natural authority to set your name, just like they have no natural authority to set your hair color, height, butt position, dick length, who you're married to, who you love, who your family is, what genitals you have, or where you physically are.

So unless they MAKE YOU A PRISONER, you control your life.

And if they've made you a prisoner... that is indeed a different story, for a similar time. I'm sure you understand the implications of that, though.