How did you decide on your name?

[Nyri]

but my sister's name is made up, being a compound of two names, so really I have a normal name in comparison to hers! When I actually start passing I'll probably just say that my parents had normal names and wanted their kids to have more interesting ones... I can use my sister's name as "proof."

Sounds like my cousins... get ready for this, it's one all one person:  John-Mark Emmit-Lee [last name]  I'm just glad his parents didn't have another boy, since they used all of the names on the first one.  Their second kid is a little better... Anne-Marie Kay.  After that, they named their kids fairly normally (I mean with only one first and one middle name).  I suppose it's not like it's too weird, but I don't think I'd want that many names.  Maybe two middle names at most. 

Simon, there are a lot of names I like that aren't very common here, and think I'd be asked about them.  Roderick is one of them... and I can't even think of any biblical or fictional character my parents could have known about who had that name. 

Then there were other names I liked, but after being here and on youtube and tumblr, they seem very common in the FTM world... so I would feel weird picking them.  I liked them long before I even knew they were common, but I would still feel like a copy cat.

I need to go out and find people to introduce myself to as certain names until I find one that sounds natural to me

[Data Lizard]

I'm not even at the point where I should really be thinking of names, but mum mentioned one day that had I been born a boy I would have been called Keiran and it just clicked. I guess I've always liked that name and a bonus is that mum actually would have named one of her kids, which is always a good thing. The only problem I have is that if I end up passing most the time and start going by a male name before the end of college I might have to find a temporary alternative as there is already two Keiran's in our pretty small class.

[eVan24]

I had a terrible time choosing my name. When I first started dating my fiancee, she told me I do not look like my birthname (which is Mary  ). She told me I looked more like an Alex. I like the name Alex but when it came down to it, I didn't feel like an Alex. I wanted a tie to my birthname because in some ways it formed a part of me, however, I have a cousin Mark and Matt and a brother Mike... and I'm not going with Marvin or Marion. So instead I focused on the length of the name. Evan has 4 letters and a "v" in it (I'm a big fan of V for Vendetta). And then chose Alexander as my middle name. Plus I like it because it leaves me open to nicknames which I tend to be fond of (as long as they aren't along the lines of jacka**). I wish I could have taken part of my grandfather's name but I definitely don't look like a Russell or an Edward. My family don't like it but they didn't provide any ideas so they will have to deal with it. I'm not 100% sure that it's the best name for me but it's my name and I'm happy with it. Plus my initials spell ear and that makes me laugh.

[Nyri]

I'm not even at the point where I should really be thinking of names, but mum mentioned one day that had I been born a boy I would have been called Keiran and it just clicked. I guess I've always liked that name and a bonus is that mum actually would have named one of her kids, which is always a good thing. The only problem I have is that if I end up passing most the time and start going by a male name before the end of college I might have to find a temporary alternative as there is already two Keiran's in our pretty small class.

I've never actually heard that name before, but I really like it.  I tried asking my mom in a round about way what she would have named me if I was a boy... and then if she had another kid who happened to be a boy, what would she name him.  I didn't get very far, and didn't really want to out myself with the conversation, but she ended up saying if she had another boy she'd name him Jovian.  I'd never heard of it before, either, and it's not bad, but I don't think it fits me at all.  She sent it to me in a text and I wasn't sure if it was Spanish or what... apparently it's not and starts with a J sound.  She also said that she almost named me Mardi as a girl name... which could translate into Marty?  I don't like it, though.

I love V for Vendetta, too!  I was thinking of William because of William Rockwood, but that's one of the names I've seen so many FTM people with (or Liam)

[Simon]

I love V for Vendetta, too!  I was thinking of William because of William Rockwood, but that's one of the names I've seen so many FTM people with (or Liam)

I think I have seen one transguy online called William. Never seen a Liam (I think I'm possibly the only trans Simon).

If you want to steer well clear of typical transguy names stay away from Aiden or Kaiden. Alex and Tyler are typical trans names too but they're more common in the cis world so not as telltale.

When I was thinking of names back in the day I tried to think of names that were common for guys my age. In the 80's people weren't naming their boys Aiden, Kaiden, Josiah, etc. Those names are more typical of boys growing up now instead of twenty years ago. Simon wasn't my first choice but it's alright and my mom digs it. Most people just call me Si anyways.

[Zasea]

Shortening my first name. It's a unisex nickname. I don't like having it so similar to my birth name, but I don't think I could respond to any other name.

[Jamie D]

Have any of you heard of Marion Morrison?

[Nyri]

Have any of you heard of Marion Morrison?

Yeah, but I didn't recognize the name haha

[Nero]

I love V for Vendetta, too!  I was thinking of William because of William Rockwood, but that's one of the names I've seen so many FTM people with (or Liam)

I think I have seen one transguy online called William. Never seen a Liam (I think I'm possibly the only trans Simon).

If you want to steer well clear of typical transguy names stay away from Aiden or Kaiden. Alex and Tyler are typical trans names too but they're more common in the cis world so not as telltale.

Yep. William is such an extremely common name and has been for centuries; way more cisguys named this than trans guys. You can't go wrong with classics. They won't out you as trans. Though I think the nickname Liam is more recently popular. Never heard it growing up. But still, it's a dimunitive of William so can't go wrong there.

[Nyri]

Yep. William is such an extremely common name and has been for centuries; way more cisguys named this than trans guys. You can't go wrong with classics. They won't out you as trans. Though I think the nickname Liam is more recently popular. Never heard it growing up. But still, it's a dimunitive of William so can't go wrong there.

I never heard Liam growing up, either, but it's on the charts as a stand alone name for my birth year, so I wouldn't mind using it.  I think if I do go that rout, I'll stick with William and use Liam as a nickname.  I actually came out to two of my best friends yesterday by asking them what they could see me as... One suggested Jude, and the other like Eric or Aaron, but since I didn't want to do that, I asked if they liked anything on my list... they said they thought Liam was the best from what I had.  Jude was actually on my list to begin with too, so I thought that was cool that my one friend would suggest it before seeing my list. 

[Bastian]

The name Sebastian came to me while watching a tv show that actually had a character named Sebastian in it. I hadn't really heard the name but I liked it, but here's the thing I liked it in a weird way. I didn't immediately think "I will file that name away for if I ever have kids" or "I'm going to name a dog that because I like the name." I liked it on almost a completely different level. I liked it but didn't like it at the same time, it's sort of hard to explain.

Also the name 'Sebastian' every single time I say it or think it conjures up images of the sea. I've been swimming in the ocean since I was just a wee thing. My dad and I both got our open diver liscenses when I was only 12. The ocean is home away from home. I haven't been in a long while, but remembering the peace and the silence of being at the middle of the ocean, seeing things that some people never would, and feeling so very insignificant but at the same time so very special, there's something about that. How I feel about the ocean is how I feel about my life. So for me, the name Sebastian connects me with one of the things I love the most but also humbles me and reminds me of my humanity.

I know not everyone has that deep of a connection with their name, but i'd always suggest that when you are choosing a new name, try to find that name that conjures up images of something you love. Humans name things to take possession of them. So by naming yourself, you define your life as yours. Take your time and find your name.

Cheers,
Seb

PS: I don't think anyone can ever really suggest names to another person, because it's such a personal thing, but my top name votes always go to: Sam, Oliver, Sasha (though you need to be distinctly male to avoid being misgendered but still one of my fav male names), John and Daryl.

[Nyri]

I agree to a point about names being a personal thing, but since I have a long list and am always trapped inside my head where I can't see myself very well, I thought I'd give my list to a couple people who know me well to help narrow it down.  I guess I just asked them what they could see me as before I gave them the list, just so I wasn't ruling anything out that I might actually like but hadn't thought of.  Ultimately I'm going to decide, obviously, but I do like having input.  A lot of people have decided on a name that a friend picked out... it doesn't make it any less "theirs" because it was their decision to go with it in the end. 

[ford]

I picked my name based of gut feeling. It had always resonated with me; like I would feel a little pang of jealousy when I met someone else with it. The other thing (and I think this is important if you want to blend in a bit) is that is is age appropriate, meaning someone born in my birth year is relatively likely to have it.

A really cool place to check name statistics is www.wolframalpha.com. Just go there, type in your name, and you'll get all sorts of cool statistics on it, including how popular it has been over time, and a frequency distribution with age, etc (I'm a data geek, what can I say).

[Soren]

If you're concerned about the spelling of your name, the idiots guide to baby names has a chart thing in it with a list of vowel combinations from most masculine to most feminine. Something like that may help.

[D0LL]

The name Sebastian came to me while watching a tv show that actually had a character named Sebastian in it. I hadn't really heard the name but I liked it, but here's the thing I liked it in a weird way. I didn't immediately think "I will file that name away for if I ever have kids" or "I'm going to name a dog that because I like the name." I liked it on almost a completely different level. I liked it but didn't like it at the same time, it's sort of hard to explain.

My boyfriend named my car Sebastian. Haha! He names a lot of things Sebastian...I do like it though! <3 Although I also feel it conjures up images of the sea (The Little Mermaid was my FAVOURITE movie as a child), so I feel like it would be more fitting for a speedboat than a sportscar. ^^;

I've always imagined what my male name would be, even when I was too little to know about trans culture. In the end, I always tend to prefer androgynous or femme boys' names, but I really doubt I'd be able to make a decision at all until I actually looked male.
Some of my top picks:
Aiden (I don't care, I've always loved the name ;P)
Drake (yes, because of Drake Bell)
Kai
And I've always been drawn to J names for whatever reason. Jason, Jeremy, Jon...However, as I've dated guys with all my favourite J names, I regretfully would have to take them all off the table. That's just too weird. (I don't have a lot of ex's, I just really seem to be drawn to J names!)

I think it's cool hearing about how some of you chose your names. I'd be too scared to let someone else pick my first name, even if it was one I liked! I've spent so many years living with a name I absolutely HATE (waaaayyyyyy too feminine for me), so I wouldn't want to chance getting one I might start disliking down the road.

[Dovahkiin]

I chose Harry because my female name began with a H so it makes some things easier. Also, I wanted a common name because my female name is kind of unusual and I hated that. Perhaps subconsciously it had something to do with being a massive Harry Potter fan, I only thought about that after I chose it and started using it. xD

[BlackBird]

(Super nervous about posting my name.. In case anyone recognizes me..)

My name, Surprisingly Is a Uni-sex nickname for Uni-sex names. Haha.

My name Is Sav. -- It can be for.. Salvatore, Saville, Savion. However It can also be for.. Savina, Savonne, Etc.

I was always called Sav so I can't tell you how I decided my name but.. I have a question.

I always wondered, Could I have an opinion on If "Sav" sounds.. Male, Female or Uni-Sex? If the answer Is Uni-Sex, What would It lean towards more?

Thanks !

[AdamMLP]

I always wondered, Could I have an opinion on If "Sav" sounds.. Male, Female or Uni-Sex? If the answer Is Uni-Sex, What would It lean towards more?

To me that's a male name.  I would accept it if a female told me it was their name, but I would initially think male.  A lot of unisex names seem to be reversed in which they lean towards between the US and the UK though, so my perspective might be different to some guys in the States.

I chose my name because I always wanted a name which could be shortened, and something beginning with "A" as some sort of symbolic thing about new beginnings.  My birthname began with a "Z", and I'm ending that phase of my life, so it only seemed right to start with the first letter of the alphabet for the next phase.  It's a bit clumsy, but I came up with it when I was twelve, and when I realised I was trans and looking for a new name decided to go back to it.  My middle name, Luke, is a bit like that because I liked it anyway and then remembered I had told people it was my middle name when I was four.

Recently I'm also enjoying the fact that my name can also be shortened to Xander.  I don't think I'd ever use it, but I like how it begins with a "Z" sound, but is hidden in my full name.  Sort of a little past relic to who I was before.

[BlackBird]

@Alexander: Thanks for the response! I always thought my name sounded more male than female. I'm glad others think so as well. Also, It's great that you shared that. Interesting little story. I like "Xander" Sounds pretty epic.

[GnomeKid]

After about 6 months to a year scouring baby name websites I had a couple in mind.  I decided on one, which my family/gf at the time weren't that impressed with (Gus).  My gf called me Gus for a while (I think im still in her phone as gusgus), but it just didn't seem to stick. 

I'd essentially scour the websites, choose a name, try it on for size in my head for a bit, and then go back to the websites.  Finally I came across my current name (Rowan).  After I came across it I walked out to my car to grab something, trying the name on in my head, and I felt like some sort of fantastic warrior of sorts.  The name stuck.