What's In A Forum Name ?

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

i've noticed that some members seem to make an effort to 'live up' to their forum name, for example if it's a name that relates to sadness/unhappiness, then a lot of their posts are centred around this type of emotion...

I'm just wondering what psychological(and physical) impact a name as on ones mental and physical well being ?

Metta Anatta

(Anatta BTW is a Pali word which means "No-Self/Soul-From a Buddhist perspective there's no such thing as an inherent entity such as a permanent unchanging self/soul  )

[Jenny07]

My name relates to my partner/fiancé Jenny, who was horrifically injured and suffered a acquired brain injury ABI, and is now in 24 hour care with no hope of getting better in a semi vegetative state. It's so sad to see her now and leaves me in tears each time.
It was in 2007, thus every post I remember her as she was the love of my life and soul mate.

She was troubled and I know she had strong gender issues herself but I kept it to myself.

It's been a long hard road that nearly ended in darkness more than a few times but I'm still here.

[Cindy]

Hugs Jenny, I do understand.

All of it.

[Anatta]

My name relates to my partner/fiancé Jenny, who was horrifically injured and suffered a acquired brain injury ABI, and is now in 24 hour care with no hope of getting better in a semi vegetative state. It's so sad to see her now and leaves me in tears each time.
It was in 2007, thus every post I remember her as she was the love of my life and soul mate.

She was troubled and I know she had strong gender issues herself but I kept it to myself.

It's been a long hard road that nearly ended in darkness more than a few times but I'm still here.

Kia Ora Jenny,

Sorry to hear about your partner's condition...But I'm sure she would have wanted you to be happy in life...

Metta Anatta

[alabamagirl]

Sephirah gave me this name... Sometime shortly after we first met, she greeted me with, "Peekaboo, Pikachu." No reason that I know of. She was just being her adorable self. Then in the Valentine's Day fundraiser thread ("Susan's Kissing Booth"), she gave me a hug by posting a picture of a girl hugging a pikachu. I don't know, it just sort of became a thing. So when I was looking to change my name to something better than the generic one I had to start with, she suggested I change it to Pikachu.

Um... I'm not sure if I act like a pikachu or not. 

[Lauren5]

Sephirah gave me this name... Sometime shortly after we first met, she greeted me with, "Peekaboo, Pikachu." No reason that I know of. She was just being her adorable self. Then in the Valentine's Day fundraiser thread ("Susan's Kissing Booth"), she gave me a hug by posting a picture of a girl hugging a pikachu. I don't know, it just sort of became a thing. So when I was looking to change my name to something better than the generic one I had to start with, she suggested I change it to Pikachu.

Um... I'm not sure if I act like a pikachu or not. 

Do you like to shock or volt tackle people?

[Cindy]

I'm Cindy; what more needs to be said

[Edge]

My username is from how someone once described me that still and will likely always hold true (which I like).
I don't think anyone makes an effort to be sad. I think this is a support forum and people come on here for support. It can be hard to ask for support when one is afraid of people claiming they want to be sad though.
The effect of sad sounding names would depend on the person. For some people, it may reinforce their negative self image. For others, it may serve as a reminder of what they want to change and a motivator. For some, it may be something about themselves they don't really mind.

[MadeleineG]

Let's see... I've been Madeleine G, Fairy Princess with a Death Ray, Muffin Top, Fairy Princess with a Muffin Ray, Just Maddy!, Just Gwynne!, Unjust Gwynne!, Several variations on Gwynne, Switzerland, and now m7♭5.

I like to be playful with my screen names.

My current SN is a dissonant jazz chord that's awkward to resolve. Dissonant and tough to resolve--just like me

[Miss_Bungle1991]

Most of mine have been variations centered around Laura. The only time this wasn't the case was when I went with Miss_Bungle (a tribute to the GODS, Mr Bungle). But once I had an illustration of a character that has my first name from a series of fanfics that I write, I decided that THIS is what I am finally going to stick with.

Besides, when you consider the personal text line beneath the avatar, it makes perfect sense. 

[Calder Smith]

I used to be Mr. Hockey because I love hockey but now it's just my real name.

[Bombadil]

I used to be on this forum for people who self-injured. A lot of people who joined would have these really emo type names. After a time though their names would change. It was like they grew out of their sad names and eventually were more interested with connecting with people on that forum.

As far as tomboy... when I was a kid that's how identified myself whenever a gender issue came up. I'm just acknowledging that. I've always been this way. I never saw myself as a girl.

[Jessica Merriman]

Jessica was a trauma patient I couldn't save who did a lot of good in the world and Merriman was found on my original pre adoption birth certificate.

[peky]

mine is just made up from letters from my first and last name....

What does that said about me Dr. Annatta ?

Maybes I should change to TTT... lol

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

And thanks for the responses so far....There are as many reasons as there are members as to why one uses a particular forum name ie, "sentimental" "directional" "to inspire themselves or others" "for fun" "How they feel about themselves"...the list goes on and on...

When using a positive sounding forum name it does have its benefits...Bearing in mind in this world first impressions count...So something as simple as a positive made up forum name(If one does not want to use their real name) psychologically can go a long way in boosting that person's self esteem/image (fake it until you make it !)

Understandably some members are clinically depressed and need more that just a name to help them out of it...

Edge rightly pointed out that this is a "support" site and I would like to just add support comes in many forms not just a listening ear to vent in or a shoulder to lean/cry on...

Sometimes just planting a seed which makes a person think outside the box can germinate and grow into something positive....

Again this would also depend on where the person's mind is at ie, if in a negative mood, then things could be seen in a negative light-even if the intention was good/wholesome...

Metta Anatta

[Anatta]

mine is just made up from letters from my first and last name....

What does that said about me Dr. Annatta ?

Maybes I should change to TTT... lol

Kia Ora Peky dear friend...

Your name says it all (take this which ever way you see fit) 

Metta Anatta

[TerriT]

It's just my name. I needed a fem name and wanted something that started with T. All the other T names were taken and this is what was left.

[Pica Pica]

Mine is the Latin name for the European M->-bleeped-<-ie.

It was a bit of a mission statement for me when I first started on here, to steal the shiny things and treasure them - all the good times and feelings and right things.

It also linked to the old m->-bleeped-<-ie rhyme,
'1 for sorrow
2 for joy
3 for a girl and
4 for a boy
5 for silver
6 for gold
7 is a secret never to be told
8 is a wish and
9 is a kiss
10 is a bird you must not miss.'

Also, always been rather fond of the corvids.

[MadeleineG]

Mine is the Latin name for the European M->-bleeped-<-ie.

Thank you for clarifying. I thought perhaps you enjoyed eating dirt. 

[peky]

Thank you for clarifying. I thought perhaps you enjoyed eating dirt. 

I guess the "D" stands for Dr., right? in addition, I also guess few people in developed countries know about "pica-pica."