Names?

[Magnus]

I like the name Aidan for you, too.  The thing about names is that it is important that a person pick a name that was a common name during the year (or at least decade), of their birth.  So many mid 20 -30 year olds are picking names that are being given to babies right now.  I know you are 23 and Aidan is a "younger" name, but at least you are in range.

I had a hard time picking out a name for myself because until I came upon Brett, I just didn't like the common names for my age cohort.

If every set of parents named their kids off of that, this world would be a far more confusing place than it already is and the names would never change. I respect that's your opinion and preference, but that truly bears no importance.

Not to come off as brash, but I do feel the need to go here, I'd have been Jake Ryan. Ryan is #13 on the list, but Jake or actually Jack (I'm not counting Jacob at #26 because it actually isn't shorthand for Jacob unlike Jack and Jack literally means nothing. Probably Jackal, if we want to get close to theologian matters) isn't. And my mom thought that one up because of 1984's Sixteen Candles. Her name's Samantha... self-explanatory (albeit a little twisted, given the plot). So it had nothing to do with popular names. She hadn't even seriously considered girl's names; my grandmother ultimately picked the birthname out.

In any case, the stark opposite of your analogy would be more beneficial on the grounds that we do appear a fair bit younger than cismales for a considerable time. I'm still clocked as a barely-teen and I really don't expect my age to reflect appropriately as it otherwise would because of not having the appropriate T levels at the appropriate times of development in comparison to cismales (seems that is important for aging like the majority of either gender). It's just the way it is. However again, the chosen name isn't popular even now. It has never in fact been popular (say, compared against Michael and my dad's first as it happens). But it is the one that fits all around. Perfectly, in fact. That's what matters (I'll hasten to add a 'at least to me').



At the end of the day, just pick the one that calls to you the most. Test drive a few if needs be. And take your time about it. There's no rush (unless of course, you're already on a rigid deadline for whatever reason).

Or perhaps if someone wants to really get the full cis-experience in this particular detail, pick one you don't like. Hardly anyone likes their given names. That is after all the foremost reason of why nicknames or full-on proper aliases exist.

[4736251]

I've noticed that some FTMs end up having a male version of their birth name.  2 names for myself that I thought of are Joey and Jay.  They're not drastically different from my birth name.

[Dalex]

Thank you all for commenting here. I don't know what it is that pulls me to the name Aidan, but it could just be perhaps it was one of the names I saw first. I will test drive a few names till I find the right one.

I've noticed that some FTMs end up having a male version of their birth name.  2 names for myself that I thought of are Joey and Jay.  They're not drastically different from my birth name.

I was going to do that, and actually the middle name I chose, Ross, would be a male version of my last name which is Rós (Rose in Icelandic). But, my first name is Linda, and so far I have not found a way to make a male name of that...

[Sephirah]

But, my first name is Linda, and so far I have not found a way to make a male name of that...

Linden?

[Dalex]

Linden?

Linden? I think I will have to test drive that name as well

[Lauren5]

Misha is a feminine-sounding name and it won't help you pass.

Not at all, Misha, also pronounced Mishka, is short for Mikhail. I have a rather masculine Romanian friend named Misha.

I was going to do that, and actually the middle name I chose, Ross, would be a male version of my last name which is Rós (Rose in Icelandic). But, my first name is Linda, and so far I have not found a way to make a male name of that...

Landon, perhaps?
And I'm struggling with a middle name too. I've always liked the names Lauren, Emily, Cate(lyn), Cristina, and so many more, but I don't know what would be best fitted for first name Willow. Aidan Ross, Landon Ross, Lucian Ross, and Kurt Ross all work, I think. Misha Ross, not so much.
Last name is so hard to choose too.

Linden? I think I will have to test drive that name as well

Reminds me of Anders Lindengaard.

[tvc15]

Not at all, Misha, also pronounced Mishka, is short for Mikhail. I have a rather masculine Romanian friend named Misha.

In the good ole US of A this is an uncommon name and most names ending in an A bring female to mind, even if the name is not. I doubt most people around here have ever heard of the name before Supernatural and just reading it off a list they'd probably assume the owner of the name Misha is a girl. Don't know where OP lives, so an American perspective might not matter.

[Dalex]

Landon, perhaps?
And I'm struggling with a middle name too. I've always liked the names Lauren, Emily, Cate(lyn), Cristina, and so many more, but I don't know what would be best fitted for first name Willow. Aidan Ross, Landon Ross, Lucian Ross, and Kurt Ross all work, I think. Misha Ross, not so much.
Last name is so hard to choose too.Reminds me of Anders Lindengaard.

Willow Lauren actually sounds really nice

I'm liking Landon more then Linden if I say so myself I am still debating with myself if I should keep the initials I have, since I am not sure if it will be any easier for those around me to get used to calling me, or if just something completely new would be better.

[Magnus]

Willow Lauren actually sounds really nice

I'm liking Landon more then Linden if I say so myself I am still debating with myself if I should keep the initials I have, since I am not sure if it will be any easier for those around me to get used to calling me, or if just something completely new would be better.

In my personal experience, one of the several other reasons I chose a relatively similar first name, seems to have backfired spectacularly (although I still don't regret it; it still fits me and I still like it). I can't even manage to get anyone to consistently and at the very least refer to me as Mag. At this point it isn't accidental. YMMV but uh... don't bank on that being any guarantee of being addressed properly. Some people will just never give you even that modicum of respect and common-decency.

[beaver]

A reason you might want to have a male version of your old name is so other people can still feel a sense of connection to you. During your transition, if you choose to take T or have surgeries, you will start looking quite different. Changing your name to something completely new would sort of shock folks too much, so that may be a reason that you would want to not change it drastically.

On the other hand, I like Landon Ross and Aidan Ross as well. Although I think Aidan might be a more common name, I don't know if that's a factor for you or not.

[Bimmer Guy]

Hey, guys, I was just giving my opinion.  What I am saying is not a new idea/I am not the first person who has suggested that when people are deciding on a name, they consider one that was more common during the time of their birth, especially if they want to go stealth.

I am 43 years old.  If I had a name that only came into fashion three years ago or was a name that was not even heard of until 10 years ago (and there are a hell of a lot of them out there), it would seem pretty odd, I think. 

Certainly people should chose a name first and foremost on what "fits" for them.  I was fortunate that I found a name that I liked that existed when I was born.  Brett is actually no where NEAR the top of being a popular name in 1970 (the year of my birth), but it was a name that people did name their children.

I hope this clarifies things.

[Arram]

Willow Lauren actually sounds really nice

I'm liking Landon more then Linden if I say so myself I am still debating with myself if I should keep the initials I have, since I am not sure if it will be any easier for those around me to get used to calling me, or if just something completely new would be better.

Landon is pretty awesome, but I'm also unfairly biased: it's the name I chose for myself.
(I'm also biased towards Lyndon because of Diablo 3.)

As for completely new, I'd say pick a name you can live with (even if it takes a while to settle on one) regardless of how similar it is or isn't to your birthname.
Also test-driving. Test-driving a name is really freaking useful.

Good luck finding a name! 

[lou7]

I really like the name Aiden Ross it makes a nice sound when I say it and I have to admit the name Ross has always been a favorite of mine.
I didn't really pick my name my co-workers did everyone called me Lou at work and it just got around and now everyone does and I like it because it made the whole name thing easy for me.
I don't know about everyone but when I hear someone name before I see the face I have a image in my mind and if they don't fit that I find it strange. That's just me. I would try to pick a name that fits my image if I had to pick a name. I also agree with picking a name that was popular at the time of your birth.

[androgynouspainter26]

Aiden is a good name-I assume you know the stereotype though.  I actually do know four aidens.  Landon is a really amazing name-uncommon but not so uncommon.  Just go with your gut-and be sure you like the way it sounds.  Don't end up like me and get sick of your chosen name after only a year.

[~Kaiden]

Wow, I didn't know there were so many things to consider when picking a name. o.O lol I agree with androgynouspainter and Arram though, just pick what feels best and something you aren't likely to get sick of. 

I considered using the male version of my name, but then I would be Chris... and I hate the name Chris.  Most guy's I have known named Chris were usually jerks XP, and plus its such a common name, I want something a little more unique.  Although in my case it would be spelled with a K.  So, Kris, which is a little bit better.  I have actually used that name in the past.  But it just doesn't really suit me.  Whatever name I choose, I think I'm going to keep my initials the same to hopefully keep an air of familiarity, though, but that's just my preference.  Besides, K and L are good letters. X3

I still vote for Aidan.  Aiden Ross sounds good.   Yup, I think you look like an Aidan to me.  But of course its all up to you!

[ttim0324]

Do not name yourself after a character or celebrity, because you won't always feel that passionately about them. Misha is a feminine-sounding name and it won't help you pass. Aidan only came back into popularity recently, but if you're set on it, go for it. Just be aware that it will probably out you as a trans guy (that is, it is not conducive to stealth at all, not to mention every guy and his dog goes by this name).

^^This right here. Maybe it's because I'm stealth and plan on staying stealth for my entire life (safety reasons and because of the career field I'm in) but I dont understand why so many ftm's want to name themselves after a celebrity or some popular name in the trans community. I don't know if it would out you completely but if someone was already suspcious in the first place a name like Aiden/Aiden/Skylar might further that suspicion

What's the reason so many of you shy away from a 'normal' name, out of curiosity?

[Chaos]

I considered using the male version of my name, but then I would be Chris... and I hate the name Chris.  Most guy's I have known named Chris were usually jerks XP

My first name is the alternate version of my born name,which is Christian lol many call me Chris XD but no im not a jerk lol.Least i dont think o_O tho i am rather blunt and honest.I decided on it because of its meaning and doesnt bother me at all regarding the past.

[Dalex]

I did not know that Aidan was such a common -uncommon- name To tell the truth, I was not really thinking of any celebrities or or trying to find a uncommon name when I was searching. But, I think I will try to talk to those I have come out to, and see if they perhaps know of a name that might suit me

I am most likely going to test drive a few names, see which one seems a lot more smooth for me, and so forth. Actually, the first name I thought off was David Alexander. But, I think it is because one of my nick names has been Dalex for a couple of years now already. So, somehow David Alexander somehow just popped up in my head rather naturally.

As one saying goes where I live, I know finding a name does not have to happen 'yesterday'. So I am in no rush to find a name exactly at this moment but I thought I would get started on the name search

[AdamMLP]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you in Iceland? I thought that to have a name there it had to be either previously used or accepted by the naming committee, and neither Misha or Aiden have been. It might be a lot easier to choose a name from your country.

[Claire (formerly Magdalena)]

Tim, Aidan isn't one of those names that suddenly cropped up over the last few years. Take actor Aidan Quinn for example, born in 1959... It's a name that's been around for forever. It is a "normal" name. Granted it has become more popular recently, but there's no reason for a casual observer to think there's anything odd about it. If, for example, I chose "Khalessi" (which I would not do), that would be a good example of a dead giveaway since it was never in use before Game of Thrones took off though it's popular now.

Aidan, you have plenty of time to test out new names, don't worry. 

-maggie