Keeping old name

[Amiina]

Hey y'all

I'm really nervous as I have my first appointment with a gender therapist tomorrow! Trying to pass some time so I just thought about this topic:

Amina is just a nick I gave myself for creating online accounts. My actual name is a male name in Europe but exclusively female in America. However, American culture becomes increasingly popular where I live. Therefore, more people see my name as a female name which makes me happy. I plan on keeping the name as I won't have issues with dead naming - also, it was okay as a male name but I really like it as a female name


Just wanted to get this off my chest to cope with nervousness.

How about you? Would you have kept your old name if possible or use a new name to sort of "start all new"?

Amina

[Jessica]

Hi Amiina 🙋‍♀️ Welcome to Susan's Place!  I'm Jessica.
What a nice thing to be able to do.  I had to trade two double letters for another set for Jess.

I see you're new here, so I'll post some links that may help you get better acquainted with the site. Pay attention to the site rules they can be of great help and don't forget the link highlighted red.  It has answers to questions that are commonly asked.  Then join in on a topic you find interesting and learn and share.

Please feel free to stop by the Introductions Forum to tell the members about yourself!

If you are one of our younger members, please stop by the Youth Introductions Forum and get acquainted with us all!

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

[Rachel]

Hi, welcome to Susan's.

I liked my old first and middle name but they are very male. I love Rachel Lynn so I changed it.

[Kirsteneklund7]

Hey y'all

I'm really nervous as I have my first appointment with a gender therapist tomorrow! Trying to pass some time so I just thought about this topic:

Amina is just a nick I gave myself for creating online accounts. My actual name is a male name in Europe but exclusively female in America. However, American culture becomes increasingly popular where I live. Therefore, more people see my name as a female name which makes me happy. I plan on keeping the name as I won't have issues with dead naming - also, it was okay as a male name but I really like it as a female name


Just wanted to get this off my chest to cope with nervousness.

How about you? Would you have kept your old name if possible or use a new name to sort of "start all new"?

Amina

Hi Amiina,
                   I would have kept my old name but unfortunately it would not cut it as female. You are so lucky !

Kind regards, Kirsten.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[KathyLauren]

Hi, Amiina, and welcome!

You are lucky to have such a versatile name.  It will certainly make life easier for you.

Congratulations on starting therapy.  Seeing a gender therapist is one of the best things you can do as you start your journey.

I didn't really want a different name, but my old first name was too male, so I picked a female name that was as close as I could get to it.  My middle name is the feminine version of my old middle name.

[krobinson103]

My name is good for either gender so I left it as is.

[Ryuichi13]

You're lucky. 

I couldn't stand my deadname.  It is a very beautiful name...for someone else. 

Actually, when I was working as a Paramedic, I took a lady in active labor to the hospital.  While enroute, she asked me my name, so I told her, and wrote it down for her.  She liked it, so somewhere back home in Cleveland, there's probably a girl....a young lady now...with my first and middle names.  She's more than welcome to them.

I much prefer my chosen name, not very many Americans, much less African-Americans, with my current (Japanese) name! 

Ryuichi

[Jeal]

Hi Amina!

I added a letter to feminize my first name and it became my middle name, but some of my long time friends and family prefer to use it since it easier to remember.  My new first name is all for me =D.

Jael is a character I wrote many year ago.  I always liked the name so I use it online.

[jesse135]

Tell us all how the meeting is tomorrow. My name shortened is androgynous....jesse....having a regular name like chad would've been good but every standard name is a 'douchebag' name...so. uh-uh *shakes head* weird....though ....just realizing i hardly have a life where i'm at so maybe not a big step of an idea...!

[Linde]

I used a very similar name as my new name, the first part is identical, and when I sign stuff (why do most medical professionals have a sloppy handwriting?  Mine is very sloppy!), One cannot really see any difference whether I signed with he old name or with the new name.  My initials did not change either.

[StacyRenee]

My dead name was very popular. The sister name was even more popular/common. I went with a completely different name, including last name. When my mother passed away I decided to take her maiden name. First name I chose because i didn't know anyone with that name, but still common enough. Middle name was my second choice for a first name, and I thought it sounded nice with my first name.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Margrit]

Hi Amiina

This is a great question.

Well, my old name was a very classic male name. No way to see a female part in or near it.
So I really really had to change it and I did so. I did it the legal way......new passport, new driving license, in every single document.
For to do so was a lawyer needed
-I can tell you absolutely required-
It also means I had to pay for all of that, the lawyer, the court procedure, every letter or document and after all of course for all the new documents like passport, driving license......
it was a very expensive matter!

So if you are able to use your old name and you are happy with it, you must be a very happy girl.

[Ryuichi13]

Hi Amiina

This is a great question.

Well, my old name was a very classic male name. No way to see a female part in or near it.
So I really really had to change it and I did so. I did it the legal way......new passport, new driving license, in every single document.
For to do so was a lawyer needed
-I can tell you absolutely required-
It also means I had to pay for all of that, the lawyer, the court procedure, every letter or document and after all of course for all the new documents like passport, driving license......
it was a very expensive matter!

So if you are able to use your old name and you are happy with it, you must be a very happy girl.

Oh man, I don't know where you live, but here in the US, it's not very expensive to legally change your name.  Maybe around a couple hundred dollars.  I changed everything as well, except for my birth certificate.  Unfortunately, I live in one of the three states where they won't do so, but there's a lawsuit challenging that law.  I'm following it, since it will impact whether or not I change my name in my home state.  ugh.  Stupid politicians being bullies and gatekeepers, it's not fun. 

Ryuichi

[Margrit]

I changend it everywhere inclusive birth certificate :-) and I am so happy I did it :-)
By the way I am living in Europa so things can be different, and here in my country, is everything that has to do with court expensive. 

[KathyLauren]

I used a very similar name as my new name, the first part is identical, and when I sign stuff (why do most medical professionals have a sloppy handwriting?  Mine is very sloppy!), One cannot really see any difference whether I signed with he old name or with the new name.  My initials did not change either.

Ha ha!  My new name, when abbreviated,  is similar enough to my old name that my signature is almost identical.  When I got my new driver's license, I gave them the required sample signature.  The lady at the counter called me back and told me that I signed my old name.  I was pretty sure I hadn't, but I gave her a new sample.  It looked the same.  I can tell the difference, but someone looking casually wouldn't.  In fact, my bank never asked for a new sample signature.  I sign my cheques "Kathy _____", and I am not sure they even noticed.

[TonyaW]

I used a very similar name as my new name, the first part is identical, and when I sign stuff (why do most medical professionals have a sloppy handwriting?  Mine is very sloppy!), One cannot really see any difference whether I signed with he old name or with the new name.  My initials did not change either.

When I worked retail I told everyone it was to help me decipher doctor handwriting on prescriptions.  No idea why or when it got so awful.  I purposely chose a name with the same initials and started signing with just those even before I started HRT. 
One thing I didn't do was practice writing my signature with new full name so actually hesitated the first time I was legally able to sign Tonya.  Estrogen has not improved my handwriting. Still bad so my first name in my signature usually either looks like "Toya" or "Tanya" . I practically have to print it to make it read "Tonya".

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

[steph2.0]

My new name is very similar to my old one. Possibly too similar. I have a theory that allowing my neighbors to call me "Steph" instead of the old name (you can guess what it was) wasn't enough to trigger in their heads that they should be using different pronouns. A couple guys in particular just can't seem to get it right, to the point that they've gotten defensive about it and seem to have quit trying. I'm thinking that if I'd picked a completely different feminine name, they might have had an easier time of it.

Stephanie

[Maddie]

I'm trying to decide on a new name to change to legally.
My birth name seems awkward to feminize, so I have been using "Maddie" in the apt building and small town I moved to 3 years ago. Also use it as preferred name when asked by health professionals, and for this online forum.

During this 3 year test run, I have noticed that many people get it wrong and call me "Matt". No doubt there are many things about my inconsistent voice and presentation that contribute to being misnamed.


So I have been collecting bullet proof female name ideas that are difficult for others to shape back into a male name for me. Looking for one to fit me and feel right.

Glad that you are happy with your birth name for your transition.

[randim]

My birth name was Randall but I have been called Randy almost all of my life.  I found it convenient to feminize that to Randi.  That has pluses and minuses.  I think it helps keep my life together as a coherent whole, but there is certainly something to be said for a new name and a fresh start.  I am finding that keeping the past without being a prisoner of it is tricky.

[Maddie]

My birth name was Randall but I have been called Randy almost all of my life.  I found it convenient to feminize that to Randi.  That has pluses and minuses.  I think it helps keep my life together as a coherent whole, but there is certainly something to be said for a new name and a fresh start.  I am finding that keeping the past without being a prisoner of it is tricky.

Does being addressed as Randi, rather than Randy, feel any different?