Gender neutral names?

[Ash]

Just wondering what some of you think with regards to unisex names I guess when looking to pick a new name?
And also for that matter, I suppose very unusual names or unique names.
Was discussing some of this with a friend of mine, and she was arguing that it would surely be better to pick a name that doesn't draw extra attention and one that is absolutely female only so no confusion.

Not like of all the names I've been thinking of happen to fit into those two categories 

[LordKAT]

I think you find a name that fits you, and you use it. Often that is  a name strongly on the side of your target gender.

[AdamMLP]

If a name suits you and you like it then you should have that name, regardless.  Sure, it might help to begin with, but if people are determined to see you as something you're not then they'll do that anyway.

I've been worried occasionally that people will be get it wrong as Alex can be a unisex name, but sometimes even saying Alexander gets lost in translation, particularly over the phone.  I've spelt it out to people over the phone and they still get it wrong.

Choose a name you like, you're going to have it for the rest of your life.

[Ash]

I think you find a name that fits you, and you use it. Often that is  a name strongly on the side of your target gender.

Guess I'm still a little confused and just hoping the right name finds me 

[Julia-Madrid]

Ash, the right name will jump out at you at some point.  I think that if you need to change your name, try find something close to your existing name.  That's much more comfortable for you and everyone around you. 

xxx
J

[Ash]

Ash, the right name will jump out at you at some point.  I think that if you need to change your name, try find something close to your existing name.  That's much more comfortable for you and everyone around you. 

xxx
J

I'm fine with using Tom in my day to day life for the moment. Does help that I am rarely called by my name though for whatever reason
Actually always thought it was weird and kind of unsettling when people say Tom or I read in a message or something directed towards me.
Do get kind of upset when someone says like dude, or lads, or man and stuff. But nothing I can do in my safe closet.
And any girl variants of Tom or Thomas aren't really to appealing to me.

Ash is currently the front runner though. Up there with Kara, Riku and Marie. Even if Riku is kind of a guys name
Love Dani and Jaime too though 

[LordKAT]

I always thought of Ash as a male name. Sometimes a names use is different from one country or culture to another.

[Ash]

I always thought of Ash as a male name. Sometimes a names use is different from one country or culture to another.

Well assuming short for Ashley, at least over in Ireland and the UK, it used to be more male. But there is a hell of a lot more females named Ashley now. Viewed as a girls name but nobody would think twice if a guy was called it.
Was personally thinking of spelling it like Ashleigh though. A boy with that spelling would be a little weird over here.
Just like the sound of Ash. And always end up calling my friends with any Ashley variant or named Aisling Ash too and it seems to work

[LordKAT]

That was kind of my point. Names change even over time to be male or female. It isn't worth worrying about too much. If you like it and it fits, claim it.

[Julia-Madrid]

Hi Ash

I don't know - if you're non-binary and want a name that works both ways, I can understand what you're getting at.  If you are heading in a female direction, my engineer's brain says "make it absolutely evidently female and easy to spell."

My real name is Adin - people don't know how to say it or spell it and have no idea what gender it is (Thanks mom & dad)  There is an advantage - on transitioning I decided there was no need to change it 

J/A

[Ash]

Hi Ash

I don't know - if you're non-binary and want a name that works both ways, I can understand what you're getting at.  If you are heading in a female direction, my engineer's brain says "make it absolutely evidently female and easy to spell."

My real name is Adin - people don't know how to say it or spell it and have no idea what gender it is (Thanks mom & dad)  There is an advantage - on transitioning I decided there was no need to change it 

J/A

Going to go for the female route, hopefully ending with SRS.
And obviously passing isn't the most important thing, but it is still going to be a massive thing to me.
Just love the neutral or boyish names working for girls. Just want to avoid getting clocked of course.
Names like Laura or Niamh would confuse nobody. But maybe Sam or Elliot could give some people an idea.
Thinking the same way as that engineer brain of yours I guess 

[Julia-Madrid]

Er, Niamh would confuse me.... Maybe I'm easy to confuse...