How to choose a "new" (real) name...

[Michelle_P]

I opted to do something both functional and honoring my ancestry.

A long time ago, I started using just the initials from my first and middle names. When it came time to transition, I looked at the roots of my name and identified the French basis for the Anglified male names. There were very pleasant sounding French feminine/neutral roots, and I adopted these, using modern spelling forms that wouldn't confuse or be mangled by American English speakers, and would preserve the initials, making the changeover much easier.

And that is how I came up with Michelle Jean.



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[Sarah_P]

Sarah is the name I've been using for characters in video games forever. No idea where it came from. There are a couple characters named Sarah in anime series I like, but not enough to name myself for them. It just felt right to use it for myself.
Now my middle name... that I'm still trying to figure out.

[Jenny94]

One consideration is, do you like your letter? That is, the first letter of your birth name. I do, so I've kept it. If you have that restriction, it's easier to narrow down to a short list of options that you can just try out on various people you meet until one of them feels good.

The most important thing, as Stef Sanjati said, is to pick a name you are comfortable with. So, for me, while Leila and Cecilia are great, Jenny just feels like home. So that's the choice. (Unless I suddenly change my mind.)

[Devlyn]

I tried using the names my mother would have called me if I had been assigned female at birth but those never quite fitted. So I just went on a sought of trial and error until I found one that feels right.


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I would have been Maureen, which went to my younger sister the next year (Irish family!  )

But it brings up an interesting point. I'm assuming that like me, you're um, er, how do I say, mature enough to pre-date ultrasound?    Back in our day, a boy name and a girl name were often ready for the blessed event, and it can be fun for us elders to find out if we would have liked the opposite gender name awaiting us.

So how many of us had two names awaiting our entry to the world?

Hugs, Devlyn

[KathyLauren]

So how many of us had two names awaiting our entry to the world?

Don't know about being mature enough, but I'm old enough.  But I never thought to ask, and didn't have a reason to, while my parents were alive.  I'll never know.

[Kylo]

But it brings up an interesting point. I'm assuming that like me, you're um, er, how do I say, mature enough to pre-date ultrasound?    Back in our day, a boy name and a girl name were often ready for the blessed event, and it can be fun for us elders to find out if we would have liked the opposite gender name awaiting us.

So how many of us had two names awaiting our entry to the world?

Hugs, Devlyn

Far as I know ultrasound's been around for ages but wasn't routinely given in the UK until the 80s. I don't know if I got one because I came out in '79, but I know my father had two names picked out.

[MollyPants]

I would have been Maureen, which went to my younger sister the next year (Irish family!  [emoji23] )

But it brings up an interesting point. I'm assuming that like me, you're um, er, how do I say, mature enough to pre-date ultrasound?  [emoji23]  Back in our day, a boy name and a girl name were often ready for the blessed event, and it can be fun for us elders to find out if we would have liked the opposite gender name awaiting us.

So how many of us had two names awaiting our entry to the world?

Hugs, Devlyn

I was after ultrasound but my parents kept me a surprise I found it quite interesting that the names were so completely different. Despite both being 'out there' as unusual.

Love Molly x

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[Bobbie LeAnn]

I have always loved the name Bobbie LeAnn and chose that as my name. It fits how I feel inside.