What's in a Name?

[CryssL]

So, my question is simple:  Do you feel it is appropriate to keep your birth-given last name?

My family is not exactly supportive of who I am, but they do not shun me from their lives either.  My mum and I still have a close relationship, and the relationship between my dad and I hasn't changed much as a result either.  I understand that those who live stealth may want to change their last name due to possible history with the birth-given name, but I do not intend on living stealth; I just do not particularly prefer my birth-given last name.  So, what's your input?  Thanks in advance.

[Bexi]

To be honest, my surname (I assume thats what you mean ) has never even came into the equation. Everyone is known by their first name, so i'd much rather change that before even considering tampering with my surname. Surnames dont mean much, except reference your heritage (in most places I know anyway) so if I was a serial killer or something id change it  Likewise if I was particularly famous before transition or it reminded me of my male days (it doesn't).

I'd say that if you don't like your surname, just change it  . Initially, it may cause stress changing bills/deeds/etc etc but if it makes you happy then go for it! Although show some restraint and don't go for anything Porn Star-ish hehe! 
x

[Jillieann Rose]

My wife is divorcing me and is keeping my last name.
Me I am changing my first and middle name to match my real gender.
I am proud of my heritage and do not want to change my last name even though my sisters and sons are not at all supportive of my transitioning.
They are very closed minded and only can think of how it is effecting them.

My new chosen first name is very feminine, pretty and the nick name is usually a female version of first name my parents gave me.

My new middle name is my grandmothers first name, she was like a second mother and best friend while I was growing up.

[Madison Leigh]

This is something my wife and I have talked about.  We've considered going with her maiden name; but frankly the hassle involved with both of us changing names will probably preclude us from doing so.  I think it comes down to is it worth the hassles or not; and that's something you have to decide.

Madison

[JennX]

Good question and one I've personally pondered myself recently. It's a very personal decision and one that requires some deep thought. That said, I'm 99% sure I'll be keeping mine. I like it, I have gotten used to it, and it's one of the few things I guess I'm happy I can keep. The one small constant in an ever changing world perhaps. Mine is a fairly common name, so that might have played a minor part in my decision as well. If it was more unique or unusual, I may have opted for changing it.

[Beth Andrea]

My former surname is so associated with pain, trauma, and abuse that I changed it...as well as my first and middle (Hey, may as well get as much as I can for the fee the courts charge LOL). (For security reasons, I won't mention the new last name here...but there is a good story that goes with why I chose it)

My middle name (Andrea) is a tribute to my male-self (middle name Andrew) for his immense struggle with all that had happened.

My first name (Beth) I presented to my male-self spontaneously. He didn't want to look at lists of names, he knew that his new "being" would name herself, and so I did.

At first, my ex was going to keep my surname, but as we were filling out the papers, she decided to look into other names, especially those with history in her family. I'm sure she's going to go with something other than her maiden name, though.

[~RoadToTrista~]

I don't care about my last name at all, which is weird because I care about a lot of things. I'm keeping it now and most likely I'll change it when I get married.

I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to change it if that's your preference, and I rly mean it when I say I don't. If someone in my family changed their last name I wouldn't care at all, lolz

[Constance]

Do you feel it is appropriate to keep your birth-given last name?

When I was choosing my first and middle names, I was choosing last names, too. This was for in the event if my parents disowned me.

For my part, I'm not all attached to my last name. But, I did want to keep it. The reason was that because it ties me to my kids. It even ties me to my ex-wife, and I still want to be associated with her as she's the mother of my children.

Perhaps if I transistioned before getting married and having kids, I'd transition my last name, too. My mom asked if I wanted to use the name that would have been mine had I been born a girl. I'm ashamed to admit I don't remember what she said it was supposed to have been, and I only came out last year. But for me, choosing a new name was part of the solidifying of my identity. It was important for my name to be mine.

But, I'm glad I kept my last name, because of the connection to my family of creation.

[cindianna_jones]

My family disowned me. I disowned them. Yes, I changed my last name. It hasn't made any difference one way or the other for me... even though I'm good with my family now.  One advantage that I do have now is that I don't have to spell my last name for every single person in the world.  I'd say that's good.

Chin up!

Cindi

[PHXGiRL]

I'm changing my last name. I don't want people from the past coming into my new life. Only the people I love most and dearly are entering my future. I picked the name "Serena" because before my mother had my younger sister she wanted to name her Serena instead of heather. So I figured it would be fitting to name myself Serena. It also helps my mother who so far is still on my side because she is losing her Micheal.

"Lynn" I just picked this because it is generic and "blends" in. I'm up in the air with this middle name with two others "Ann" and "Marie" both very common too.

My last name I've decided will be "Westbrook". Reason I choose this was it sounds like a natural leader to me and very proper.

"Serena Lynn Westbrook"

<3

[cindianna_jones]

Very cool Serena! Really. I wish that I would have thought my choice through a little better. I just picked the first names that came to me. Oddly, they stuck. I had the chance to change with my legal filings, but I'd already developed a very small social network and I didn't want to go back. But, it's cool. I am who I am.

[Bexi]

My mom asked if I wanted to use the name that would have been mine had I been born a girl.

Mines would have been Georgina, which (ironically) was the name of our first dog before we renamed her!

I only recently found out that my last name is shared by a recognised person within the Transgender community too, purely coincidental but quite cool nevertheless.
x

[my mother's other daughter]

I am not going to use my birth surname, as someone else pointed out just too much pain associated with it and the past.  Also, it is rare enough to make me too easy to track down.  I can google my given first, middle and last name and I am the only one that pops up.  I am taking two thirds of my maternal grandmother's name because I always felt closest to her and she was by far the most accepting and understanding of all of my relatives.  The middle name just seemed to fit.  So, hi, I'm Leigh Anne Gregory.  A totally new name.

[CryssL]

Thank you so much for the replies!  They've been very helpful.

[Diane Elizabeth]

  I saw no need to change my last name.  It doesn't represent either gender of my past or present life.

[Carol2000]

I transitioned at work, so I kept my surname. But when I left there to "disappear" I changed it. I changed it again when I got married. I work in the media and have come across former colleagues from where I transitioned and they have not recognised me.

If I had kept my original surname, alarm bells would no doubt have rung.

So I am glad I changed my name.

Caroline

[JadeS]

I hate the name that was given to me at birth. Not just because it doesn't fit my gender identity, but it just sounds horrible. I like being able to pick my new name though. Everyone got used to my new name quickly, and the old one hasn't come up in a looooong time, from anyone