Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: jess818 on April 20, 2017, 04:36:40 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: jess818 on April 20, 2017, 04:36:40 PM
Post by: jess818 on April 20, 2017, 04:36:40 PM
Hi all, long time lurker first time poster. Wondering if you all can help me with something. I'm beginning my MTF transition and really like the name Jae and would like to change it to that.
As a white girl , I've noticed a lot of people with the name Jae are either African or Korean, I want to change it to that but don't want to be culturally appropriating the name since I'm white.
What do you all think of this? Mainly looking to hear from folks of African / Korean descent but anyone's opinions are valid.
Should I change the spelling to Jaye? Or is Jae ok and am I just being paranoid ?
As a white girl , I've noticed a lot of people with the name Jae are either African or Korean, I want to change it to that but don't want to be culturally appropriating the name since I'm white.
What do you all think of this? Mainly looking to hear from folks of African / Korean descent but anyone's opinions are valid.
Should I change the spelling to Jaye? Or is Jae ok and am I just being paranoid ?
Title: Re: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: Mikka55 on April 20, 2017, 04:51:48 PM
Post by: Mikka55 on April 20, 2017, 04:51:48 PM
If you like the name then go for it. I'm legally changing my name to Mikayla and I'm chinese, and I know with a name with Mikayla its very white. But I don't really care, because people can call me Mika also. Do what makes you happy. Good Luck.
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Title: Re: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: Mikka55 on April 20, 2017, 04:52:38 PM
Post by: Mikka55 on April 20, 2017, 04:52:38 PM
If it feels it suits you, then go ahead. :-)
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Title: Re: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: jess818 on April 20, 2017, 04:56:08 PM
Post by: jess818 on April 20, 2017, 04:56:08 PM
thanks for the advice Mikayla!
Title: Re: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: Kylo on April 20, 2017, 05:28:16 PM
Post by: Kylo on April 20, 2017, 05:28:16 PM
I think you should not worry about "cultural appropriation" and just concern yourself with the logistics and positives of having a particular name.
Title: Re: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: Devlyn on April 20, 2017, 05:38:31 PM
Post by: Devlyn on April 20, 2017, 05:38:31 PM
You know, last time I was in a cultural appropriation discussion, I suggested that most people who bang on and on about cultural appropriation were probably white and eating Pad Thai with chopsticks. The silence was deafening. :laugh:
Hugs, Devlyn
Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: Jennifer RachaelAnn on April 20, 2017, 05:41:54 PM
Post by: Jennifer RachaelAnn on April 20, 2017, 05:41:54 PM
There may be a few names out there that people may think "Why is he/she named <insert name>?"
But as for culturally appropriate I don't think there really is such a thing. Your name reflects who you are, not what color you are. I mean my first name, my legal male first name, is Jared. I have grown to really like that name, but I'm still considering legally changing my name to Jennifer. Is that culturally biased since Jennifer is typically a white girls name? Not in my opinion.
So don't let cultural stereotypes concern you. As long as you're not changing your name to Toilet Bowl, or something extremely racist, you should be fine.
But as for culturally appropriate I don't think there really is such a thing. Your name reflects who you are, not what color you are. I mean my first name, my legal male first name, is Jared. I have grown to really like that name, but I'm still considering legally changing my name to Jennifer. Is that culturally biased since Jennifer is typically a white girls name? Not in my opinion.
So don't let cultural stereotypes concern you. As long as you're not changing your name to Toilet Bowl, or something extremely racist, you should be fine.
Title: Re: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: Raell on April 20, 2017, 06:54:00 PM
Post by: Raell on April 20, 2017, 06:54:00 PM
LOL Devlyn!
Ironically, I'm currently living in southern Thailand, but I never eat pad Thai since I avoid cooked food.
My concern is that the name, Jae, might be too ambiguous, or sound too male for you later on, depending on your female identity intensity.
I'm gender fluid and my new name changes my given name "Rachel"..into Raell. This worked for a while, but in full male mode, the name seems too "girly."
I only accepted the combo name when I started taking derris scandens herb, which blends my gender modes.
Ironically, I'm currently living in southern Thailand, but I never eat pad Thai since I avoid cooked food.
My concern is that the name, Jae, might be too ambiguous, or sound too male for you later on, depending on your female identity intensity.
I'm gender fluid and my new name changes my given name "Rachel"..into Raell. This worked for a while, but in full male mode, the name seems too "girly."
I only accepted the combo name when I started taking derris scandens herb, which blends my gender modes.
Title: Re: Name change question , is it cultural appropriation?
Post by: Charlie Nicki on April 21, 2017, 09:54:03 AM
Post by: Charlie Nicki on April 21, 2017, 09:54:03 AM
Quote from: Raell on April 20, 2017, 06:54:00 PM
My concern is that the name, Jae, might be too ambiguous, or sound too male for you later on, depending on your female identity intensity.
That was my first thought as well :) I don't think cultural appropriation would be an issue at all.