Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: twhsb96 on August 22, 2014, 09:31:09 PM

Title: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: twhsb96 on August 22, 2014, 09:31:09 PM
I've been trying to find a name that "fits", I think with the incorrect assumption in my brain that I'm just going to suddenly see a name that is perfect and amazing and like the last puzzle piece fitting together, when in reality it probably isn't such an earth-shattering event.  Right?

How do you guys like Dmitri?  Is that too obscure?  I know something that goes into name-choosing is always whether or not a name was popular when you were born, and Dmitri wasn't super popular, but it's also not the most off the wall thing I could possibly go for.

If you have name suggestions, that'd be cool too.  Preferably longer names, I think?  My birth name is four syllables and I gravitate towards things that flow with my last name in the same way that did.  Thanks in advance :)
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: androgynouspainter26 on August 22, 2014, 09:39:53 PM
Dimitri, or whatever you'd like to go by,

Don't decide on a name just because it was popular when you were born!  Choose something that resonates deeply with you, that fits your personality, that has some significance, that fits you aesthetically.  Whatever you do, don't choose a name just because you get approval...I made that mistake the first time around.  Your name should be a perfect reflection of who you are, and nothing else-you're going to be hearing it a lot!

Best of luck,
Sasha
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: Rachelicious on August 22, 2014, 09:44:05 PM
Dmitri is a good name. I like it more than most guys names (though I don't have favorites.)

Some things to consider:

Do you know what name your parents had in mind if your physical sex had been assigned appropriately? Do you like it? I knew, didn't like it so much. But I took many of their concepts about naming a child into mind.

Have you tried it with others a little bit? Sometimes just someone else calling you the name, you'll know right away if it fits or validates your identity or not.

Aesthetic. Does it sound nice with your last name? As a nickname? Is there an annoying nickname to which it could be too easily & frequently reduced?
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: Christy on August 22, 2014, 10:32:01 PM
I went the simple route. I went with the female version of my name and Chris became Christy. I didn't even change the spelling.  :D Deciding on a name isn't always easy though. You have to find one that feels right to you and only you can do that. Take your time.
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: alexis.j on August 23, 2014, 12:08:56 AM
I liked the name alexis, so that is what I have been using for quite some time now, but I have used the name my mom would have given me as my first name, then alexis as my second name... It feels more 'right' for me too, for some reason.
So my real name is Janine. A. xxxxx    but I still go by alexis on most of the sites.
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: GenTechJ on August 23, 2014, 12:27:20 AM
Quote from: androgynouspainter26 on August 22, 2014, 09:39:53 PM
Dimitri, or whatever you'd like to go by,

Don't decide on a name just because it was popular when you were born!  Choose something that resonates deeply with you, that fits your personality, that has some significance, that fits you aesthetically.  Whatever you do, don't choose a name just because you get approval...I made that mistake the first time around.  Your name should be a perfect reflection of who you are, and nothing else-you're going to be hearing it a lot!

Best of luck,
Sasha

This, right here. This is all that matters.

Although, Rachelicious brings up a good idea as well and how I decided on my name. Had I been born female I was going to be named Jennifer. And I do like the name. Thus, Justin Michael became Jennifer Michelle (I want to keep my initials and it rolls off the tongue the same way, I think).

Ultimately, choose what you like. :)
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: Illuminess on August 23, 2014, 01:51:17 AM
I think I answered a similar post already, but I'll do so again...

The name given to me was the name of my mom's best friend when she was 16, and I've never really liked it. It also sounds terrible with my last name, and my middle name is just awful. I wanted to change my name, period, but could never figure anything out. When I finally understood what was going on in my head and what needed to be done about it I started thinking about names again. I never really liked boy names, anyway; even the "prettier" ones, but I do like the ones that have been commonly used for girls these days like Leslie, Ashley, Meredith, etc.

But now I had this completely new area of names to explore. It needed to have meaning AND sound nice, but all the names I looked over weren't giving me that. So, I started looking at alternative spellings from different countries, and found "Arin" as an alternative to "Erin" and "Aaron". The meaning provided was "light-bringer", and I believe the masculine Hebrew version meant "exalted" or "enlightened". Exactly what I was looking for, and "Arin" isn't a common spelling, so that was perfect. I'm a very spiritual person and have spent over a decade studying various religions and philosophies, and found my home in the realm of the Gnostic and esoteric, so I really wanted to find a name that reflected that.

My last name had to go, as well, though. I didn't need it to have special meaning; it just needed to complement my new name. "Laurie" is a common surname in the UK, but it's pretty, and I don't really care that I don't live in the UK. Plus, they both look really good together in signature.

So, there you go. :)
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: allisonmaybe? on August 23, 2014, 02:02:16 AM
I found my name in a list of common girl names. The main thing I tried to avoid was rhyming first and last names. I do like Dimitri, its a very cool name. :)
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: Rayne on August 23, 2014, 12:33:54 PM
Well i wanted an r name to keep my initials as a token of respect to my dad and while none where near my name i looked for any starting with r. I found Rayne. I liked it and tryed it. While i first was not sure on the spelling, now i cant think seriously about changing it. I suggest looking for a name you like and use it a bit, and if it clicks, it is a worthy cantidate. I should say i have yet to legaly or socialy change my name. Rayne is just my girl name for those in the know, like you fine girls and boys, and any other prefered pronoun.
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: MugwortPsychonaut on August 23, 2014, 04:49:43 PM
Dimitri is a fun street drug. I'm really close with my mom, so I simply picked what she would have named me.
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: jaybutterfly on August 23, 2014, 05:15:05 PM
whatever name resonates, I chose jay since it sounds more feminine than my real name, but part of me feels I might change to something like Roxanne
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: Ashlotte on August 23, 2014, 11:53:24 PM
I said this in another topic, but I picked my name using babynames.com There's a search option that allows you to search for names that have certain meanings, so you can pick one that means something significant to you. But, of course, you definitely want, first and foremost, a name that sounds good and that you like to be called by. I think Dmitri is a very cool name. It's unique and different, but common enough where people will know how to pronounce it and stuff.
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: Autumn Faith on August 24, 2014, 12:07:35 AM
Ok, so I may be bad but this is how I went about it. I had a fortunate life altering, incredible human being come into my life. Before he came into my life  I chose 2 names... one a boy and one a girl.  The girl's name came quite easily. .. and the boy's name became him. What a incredible man he has turned into. The little girls name I thot would always be my daughter's name. Unfortunately life never gave me another chance. So because I so loved the name then I got to the name crossroad ... I took it as mine. And I truly love it with all my heart and it is so totally me.
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: MajorTom on August 24, 2014, 04:05:11 PM
Before I realized I was ftm I used to always come up with alternative names for myself on websites and such, since I never really wanted to be identified with the one I was given. The last one was Keith, which I stuck with for a while, as I liked it and identified with it some how. When I started to discover my identity I thought about what I would like to be called- And Keith just kind of stuck.
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: Frankie on August 24, 2014, 05:12:40 PM
My given name is Francis, I have always gone by Frank, friends and family have called me "Frankie" all my life, since it can be either male or female, I am use to hearing it.
Title: Re: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: Athena on August 24, 2014, 06:07:31 PM
Seeing as I might not even be able to begin transitioning I have a while to make up my mind. I am thinking Alice, Allison, Jessica, Julie, Samantha, Natasha.
With Alice because of a 70's sitcom I associate Alice with being a middle age mother working at  a dinner (I was really young watching it so she may not have actually been that old) so I am thinking not. Julie was the name of my first heartbreak, I still hold a special spot in my heart for her and I kind of feel that I would sully the name. With Samantha a lot of my family had the nickname Sam for me (I really have no idea why) this one i likely up there. Natasha and Jessica are just names I like. The one that I am currently favouring is Allison.
Title: How did you decide on a name?
Post by: ImagineKate on August 24, 2014, 09:33:11 PM
I have nooooo idea what I will choose. I like Kate and Katy. I like the Katy perry look and I could probably pull it off, lol.