Choosing a name

[Magnolia88]

I'm having trouble committing to a name. My first choice is Tatum. I've always loved that name even before I knew what trans was. When I was little, I envisioned myself in my head as a girl named Tatum and I used to pretend I was one of the popular girls which was far from my reality. I'd picture myself with long brown hair and wearing cute outfits. She was everything I wished I could be. As attached as I am to that name, I'm just not sure it fits me or if it will be believable. I'm half white/half Indian so I have sort of an exotic look. I've also considered Rebekah, Bianca, and Harlow. I like unique names especially old fashioned ones. I just want something I'll be comfortable calling myself and being referred to as the rest of my life. How did you decide on your name?

[Jessica]

I knew I was Jessica from the start, it worked with my previous one, sounded similar.  My middle name which is Marie, was found after asking the forum members who they saw in my eyes.
With in minutes I had seven resounding Marie's.  It was stunning for me that so many, so quickly thought this.
Now I had an actual face picture that they could get the feel of who I was.  But I think all it takes is letting yourself be you and a name may just pop up that is perfect.
I do like exotic names and your thought of Rebekah struck me as maybe you...

Good luck, Jessica Marie

[Harley Quinn]

I've come to find that most any name can be your birth name. If you think about it... all names are made up before or shortly after you're born... so who's to say. Some parents come up with some crazy names. With that being said, I didn't choose my name. It was given. Over the years, pre transition, I had dressed in femme quite a bit. I was pretty good at it, so my friends had a difficult time using my given name. 4 different friends, none of which knew each other, came up with the same name for me... so when I transitioned, i took it. It still felt foreign for a bit, but after using it for a little while it is like second nature. If you like a name, use it for a few months and see how it feels. It may grow on you. If you come up with a name and don't give it that trial run... you'll never know if it's really you.  I kept my sir name, and made up my own middle name to fit with the flow. You can be less critical of a middle name, as you're generally the only one that will know it. 😉

[KathyLauren]

I wanted some continuity with my old name, but I also wanted it to be unmistakeably feminine. I wanted to avoid anything exotic enough to out me as trans.

My old boy names were Keith Lawrence, which easily morphed into Kathy Lauren.  Officially, on my name change certificate, I am Kathleen Lauren.  My initials stayed the same, which was convenient, and it was easy to adapt my signature.  Kathy is in the top ten names for my birth year, so it it not going to draw undue attention.  And, when I started using it, I liked it.

[herekitten]

 Based on your self descriptor  - Maggie - comes to mind. Short for Margaret.

[Colleen_definitely]

Or Magrat if you're a really hard core Terry Pratchett fan 

I personally think names lifted from cartoons and video games are pretty cringey.  I stuck with something a lot less common than my original name but still an unmistakably feminine name.

[Cindy]

 

I've removed a post.

Lets have a discussion where we don't insult other people for their name please.

There is no need to be rude to people and think how people feel.

[Magnolia88]

I love hearing about where your names came from. I appreciate all the input.  After some thought, I wanna keep the name Tatum. I've always gravitated to that name for a reason. I should at least give it a try and see if it fits.

[StealthStilettos]

I'd love to help but can't come up with a name for myself. And it I don't necessarily hate my birth name, it's just not feminine, like at all lol, unfortunately nothing has jumped put at me yet.

[GingerVicki]

I am going with the nickname that everyone used to poke fun of me when I was younger. I'm going with Vicki, but of course officially it will be Viktoria.

I figure why not. Just own it. It's me and always has been.

[Harley Quinn]

I am going with the nickname that everyone used to poke fun of me when I was younger. I'm going with Vicki, but of course officially it will be Viktoria.

I figure why not. Just own it. It's me and always has been.

I like that name.  The spelling with the K is rather exotic... feels rather eastern European. 😎

[GingerVicki]

I like that name.  The spelling with the K is rather exotic... feels rather eastern European. 😎

What can I say I'm a Russian princess. 

[Margaret (Chin-Sun)]

In the old days, I liked Samantha the most. Later Veronica and the French version of Véronique. Currently, I want to have in ID Margaret's first name and Veronica's second name. In Poland it will be Małgorzata Weronika (pron. sth about Malgozhata Veronica). Currently, I use five names: Margaret, Rita, 턱일 and two Polish ones.

These names, I associate very well (Margaret - pearl, Veronica - bringing victory). Korean 턱일 (Chin-Sun - Truth-Goodness).