I have heard it work for some ladies, and not work for others.
You will lose fans when you change, whether or not you change your name. I lost fans because I actually started buying toys and outfits when the money started coming in, even though I was honest from the beginning about how I was going to do that... I just didn't have it anywhere very visible that they could see it with on a regular basis. Most awkward conversation ever:
"I love that you're so simple, not many toys and no outfits"
"um, that's only because I haven't gotten the chance for that yet, I kinda want to do that..."
"well, okay, but you show up in your street clothes"
"oh, that will always be there."
So yeah, it will be rough to change, but if you're changing in a way that makes you more excited about camming, for every one person who leaves at least two people will enjoy the new you.