Initials and surnames - pros and cons

[Dennis]

Yep, that helped with me. My initials are the same and I always signed with first initial, last name. Didn't have to learn any new tricks.

Dennis

[Transguykid]

It did help when I didn't want to say my legal first name, but didn't want to indicate that it was one or the other. For example, my cell phone message is "Hi, you've reached E. S*****, leave a message...etc"

[Judas]

I haven't actually changed my name yet, for various reasons, but when I do I'll be keeping my surname. My first name is getting a masculine spelling based on my childhood nickname (to make it easier on my mother, and because I love her), although it doesn't start with the same letter as my full given name, it's just a similar sound. I'm altering my middle name from Joy to Judas (although I hadn't realized it was the same letter until just now... Judas is just my name). I'll probably introduce myself by middle name, once I transition (which my mom should get, since she does the same thing  ).