I feel like I've grown out of the name I chose for myself, and that perhaps it wasn't the right choice. Can anyone relate? ???
When I came out around age 15 I started using the name Kevin, and it's been legally my name since I was 21. I don't feel it fits me anymore though. I'm stuck in this odd place of not really liking or connecting with my name, but also feeling that it's familiar and might be sad to get rid of it. Still, I have another name in my head that I keep thinking about every day and it was on my list when I was first choosing a name. The logistics of changing my name again gives me a headache though... I wouldn't even know how to announce something like this, because my social circle is a mix of people who know and don't know I'm trans. At what point is it worth saying yeah it's a hassle but it'll make me happier? Advice on any of this?
Bonus question for fun - what name do I look like?
I can't relate... I haven't changed my name yet.
My friend thinks you look like a Jeff, I'd say Derek.
I'm a firm believer in the idea that no matter how much effort we put into picking names, it really doesn't matter in the end as long as it's something within the boundaries of "normal" (i.e. doesn't raise eyebrows when read out in a list of names: e.g. "Peter, Sarah, Kyle, Ryan, Laura, Sparklekitty, Daniel - er, Sparklekitty? WTF?"
Kevin is one of those names that fits in. As you mention, it's not your favorite name but you do have some sense of connection to it. I'd stick with it - changing it again seems like a headache you don't need, along with (perhaps) unwanted attention.
In the grand scheme of things, very few people get to choose their own names. They're stuck with whatever their parents decide to call them, albeit with a little leeway for nicknames and suchlike. And in the grand scheme of things, people don't think much about their names - they're called what they're called, and that's that. There are a few hideous names out there, but most sound normal and "fit". And in that sense, we're rather lucky to be able to pick our new names for our new genders. But that, I think, causes us to put undue significance on the very ordinary task of selecting what to call this new person. I suspect that most parents pick names they like, rather than names that have this huge, deep meaning or personal attachment.
I'm not a huge fan of my birth name (which is male - ugh), but I lived with it. It's one of those normal names that has no particular meaning - it's just a way of identifying me in a group of people, just as 99% of people's names are just a way of identifying them in a group of people. It's a functional word, not a descriptive one. So I guess my advice is to not spend too much time on this. Your name is merely a practical way of distinguishing you from everyone else. If it does that job, then it's a good name. As long as you recognize it as you when someone calls out, "Hey, Kevin!", then you're good to go. (And imagine the hassle of re-learning your new name and getting used to reacting instantaneously when people use it...)
You can always use your favored name unofficially - have your friends and family use it, just as they would any other nickname.
But that's just my opinion. My children's names were picked out because my wife and I though they were pretty names. My wife picked my female name for me because she thought it was pretty too (much as it's not what I had originally wanted to call myself). I might not love the name she picked out, but it has some significance because she picked it, just like you originally picked Kevin.
Not sure that rambling helped, but I'm not convinced that having a new name will make you any happier. What's to say that your new name won't wear out six years down the road?
To answer your other question (and I shouldn't, because it might encourage you to change your name after I've explained why I think you shouldn't), to me you look like "David" - a strong, straight-down-the-line, timeless male name. Kevin sounds a bit 1980s to me. The Davids I know are nice guys, sensible, friendly, reliable. It's not a name I associate with anything negative whatsoever. :)
I think it is important to choose a name that means something to you, so that you can get attached to it. That's not easy.
Based on your pic, your name is 'Mark', ;D
△ ☾ Rıνεя Aяıп Lαυяıε ☽ △
My birth name is Landon Duncan (secret! or, just select it), and not once in 33 years have I ever identified or resonated with it. Sorry, Mother, but I have to reincarnate, so to speak, and take a name that best evokes the inner me. Not that it's a bad name, but it's just not me. I don't even want my surname anymore. This transition has given me the opportunity to start afresh with a name that won't tense up on my tongue. Yeah, I seriously hated actually saying that name when being asked.
So, searching for my new name, I had to look for something that had meaning to me. Luckily, it didn't take long at all. I was specifically looking for names that had to do with light, illumination and so on. I saw the name Arin, it's meaning, and that was it.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10898330_318790254998685_4339164162390922510_n.jpg?oh=9c963321f7b38ef4c113662a9c55655b&oe=553F7976&__gda__=1429515434_a1d18a1b2de34cfe081c46e90f60f20a)
The surname I chose — Laurie — I just always liked. Even though Arin is unisex, Laurie makes it more feminine.
But recently, I was thinking I needed a middle name; or make Arin the middle one and choose a new first name. Again, it didn't take me long at all to choose. I wanted my whole name to have a nice flow, and I wanted this new first name to signify strength and resilience. A friend of mine started telling me in chat how he was finally watching Firefly with a friend across town, and we were discussing some characters and scenes. A day later, someone is giving me a ride to the clinic, and I tell her how I thought River was a good name to adopt. She reminded me of Doctor Who, and that every female character she's seen with that name have been the strong and resilient types. So, I said all three names together, and then just first and last. It's perfect.
When I finally have it legally changed there will be no second thoughts. I haven't been able to come up with anything else remotely relevant to who I am or resonant to my appearance. So, really dig deep and think about your most redeeming qualities, your passions, and so on. Let these things guide you to the name. The internet has hundreds of name sites with thousands of possibilities. Hell, even meditate on it! Meet your name halfway as if it's trying to find you, too. :)
Quote from: kast on January 08, 2015, 07:29:27 AM
Bonus question for fun - what name do I look like?
I lack experience in regards to changing my name and dealing with the effects of such, but I can say that it seems like something that would definitely foster a lot of indecisiveness. By that, I mean, since I get to pick my own name in the future, "the" name I intend to settle with keeps changing lol. Always going back and forth between "Alice" and "Alison", and that's on a good day.
But I can totally answer your bonus question for you! You look overwhelmingly "Zach" to me! Zach or Zachary would both work quite well for you, in my very own humble opinion.
Good luck with everything!
Go look up Mike Holmes Jr. from Holmes on Homes. Dead ringer
One the one hand, I wanna agree with Brenda E. I think a lot of non-transgender people get stuck with a birthname that they don't like and they just stick with it. And I think it would be a lot of hassle to go through the whole process again.
Then again, I know what it's like to hate your name. So I would say maybe look into what would be required of you to get it changed again. Maybe you could go by a nickname? Then you could keep your legal name and still get around feeling like it's not you.
Also I had an uncle Kevin as a kid and a friend in elementary school who was also a Kevin and they were both really great guys, so I think it's a fine name. Just my two cents.
KEVINN!! **faints and falls over**
---
What an interesting question, though. I'm not sure my choice was my 100% match, but it's definitely above 90%. And since I still can't imagine what I would change it to if doing so wouldn't be, well, weird after a decade, 90%+ is good.
Well, I hate to say it, but you look exactly like a Kevin to me.
I knew I was a Jill from day one, and it fits me like a glove.
Quote from: Cin on January 08, 2015, 08:38:58 AM
I think it is important to choose a name that means something to you, so that you can get attached to it. That's not easy.
Based on your pic, your name is 'Mark', ;D
Or Mathew... or John... ;D
Quote from: Brenda E on January 08, 2015, 08:34:22 AM
Good points. I suppose few people really
love their name, especially if you were born with it, but I think that annoys me more
because I chose it and should have put more thought into it! haha. The name I've actually loved for ages is Henry, and I'm not sure why I didn't pick it originally (it was one of the few I was tossing up on). I'm trying to use it as a nickname with a couple close friends for now, just to see if it works.
Quote from: Illuminess on January 08, 2015, 08:53:41 AM
You have a great name! :) I briefly considered River as a name when I was younger but there's a well-known river in Australia with my surname. Not quite as bad as "River Nile", but I still couldn't unsee the connection to the particular river. :icon_lol:
I like that you chose very meaningful personal names. I'll think on it and see if anything else stands out to me...
Quote from: Jasper93 on January 08, 2015, 11:04:55 AM
You look overwhelmingly "Zach" to me! Zach or Zachary would both work quite well for you, in my very own humble opinion.
Well, my chosen middle name is Isaac. Close enough? heh :P
Quote from: Jill F on January 08, 2015, 05:53:21 PM
Well, I hate to say it, but you look exactly like a Kevin to me.
Damn it! ;)
I love my new name, but even so I sometimes think about whether I couldn't have come up with one I like even better. I'm very good at driving myself bats.
Quote from: kast on January 08, 2015, 07:29:27 AM
Bonus question for fun - what name do I look like?
As soon as I looked at your photo, I said, "Frederick Maximilian Hohenzollern, Jr." But I could try again if you like.
I don't know, I agree with the others. I think most folks are born with the name they were given, and they just take it for granted. You chose the name Kevin, and now everybody knows you as Kevin. It's awkward to change it.
I was born with the name Ryan. In High School I decided that I wanted everyone to call me Ian, because everyone I've ever met that was named Ian was super cool. Some people made the switch, but some didn't. After a few weeks of trying I just ended up feeling silly and giving up. But then one or two friends still kept calling me Ian, which felt even more strange then, since it just reminded me of my failed attempt at a name change.
I think it's easier to change your name when you're transitioning, since everyone has to get used to the new you anyway. After that, it becomes a LOT harder to do it a second time. If it were me, I would stick with "Kevin," just like most cisguys would if they are born with that name.
On the other hand, if there's one thing I've learned from dealing with my gender identity, it's that you can change anything about yourself if it makes you happy. If you really don't like your name, then change it to Henry. Just understand that you will probably have to put quite a bit of effort into it in order to get the name to "stick." Personally, I don't think it would be worth the effort. But then I'm not you, and you might be thrilled if you made the decision. Only you can say for sure.
Quote from: kast on January 09, 2015, 07:10:45 AMThe name I've actually loved for ages is Henry . . .
That's a
great name, and it suits what you look like (to me, at least.)
Perfectionism is considered by some a disease of sorts. My vote is that you don't over think it. Most people take the name given to them at birth at face value. If they don't care for it entirely, well, that's what nick names are for.
I work in an office where no one is who they seem... Robert is Bob; Patricia is Patty; Therese is Teri; Peggy is Peg; Deborah is Deb; Kathryn is Katie (that's me); Susanna is Suzy; William is Bill; Kendra is K.C.; Andrew is Andy; Rebecca is Becky; Edward is Eddie; Paula is Brooke; Margaret is Peggy; the other Margaret is Cathy; Colene is Belle; Bonita is Bonnie; Victoria is Vicki; Kathleen is Kat... I'm not making this up. The only reason I know everyone's given names is because I do payroll. For at least half of my life I was refered to as my last name only, and for about 10 years I was known as Rasta.
It is so common for people to introduce themselves as, "people call me..." If I was in your shoes (and you were in my 3.5 inch heels), I would be happy with the totally appropriate name that you have, and have some fun with nick names.
Can I just call ya Hank?
Miharu
I've changed my name, officially and unofficially, first, middle and last names more times than I care to admit. I think I'm on my sixth iteration now...hopefully that's it.
Some people have known me across every single change and (no doubt with some bemusement) have gone along with me - they deserve a medal. Thing is most people who know you see you as Kevin. It's been my experience that people immediately lock in name and person as one and the same. I remember once being introduced to some guy, he was a bit of a joker and said his name was Mike when it wasn't. I found out some time later he was an Eric or something and I thought to myself "he looks more like a Mike" to me...
Quote from: Brenda E on January 09, 2015, 02:08:32 PM
...Sparklekitty...
Now there's a great name! ;D
Funny story... when I got my birth certificate when I was eighteen, my name on it was wrong... or rather, my parents had been calling me, and everyone had been calling me something different for my whole life... it was something of a shock. Both parents blame the other one, and I still don't really know how that happened.
Anyway... when I went to go get my driver's license, even though all of my IDs except my birth certificate said the one name, they wouldn't give it to me with the name I've always gone by, so I had to pay to legally get it changed. I almost got thrown out of the registry too, because I refused to swear on the bible, and offered to swear on peter pan... and when I was asked for a non-family member to vouch for who I was, I said that that didn't make any sense, because if they have no way to know that they must know who I am, like they do with a family member, that I could just go pay some homeless person to claim to have known me for five years. Quickly following that up with "not that I'm going to do that"...
When it finally was said and done, they left out my middle name, and I had to get them to do it again! Then they misspelled my middle name on my driver's license, which was itself something of an obstacle, and delay when I got my driver's license changed to a difference province...
Not looking forward to that again...
I happen to like my name and wouldn't change it. It fits me. My mother always had a hard time with girls being called 'Kelly'. Well, Mom, guess what! I will at some point change my middle name as it is truly meant for a male. I have considered and Irish name with the same first initial. This would make my ID similar to what I have now.
What makes a name "right"? I, unfortunately, do not know the answer to this question. I thought about and experimented with names before coming out and I thought I'd found the "right" name about eleven times. I finally settled on Luca because it was unisex, but now I'm not crazy about it. I'm okay with Lucas, but it doesn't feel as comfortable and "right" as I thought I my chosen name would. I love names and have many that I'd like to go by, but they all feel awkward coming out of my mouth and/or the mouths of others. :b
Lucas is starting to feel more and more like my birth name (err, the nickname I went by before); as in, not a bad name, just not one that's particularly important to me. The only difference is that Lucas isn't annoying feminine and I like its meaning much more.
I'd love to go by Andrew, or Isaac, or Brady, or Max... but they just aren't my name, haha. I'm not sure how to explain it.
Most cis people do not like their name. But it is their name. Same with you in this case.
In my case as example, I used the feminine version of my name. Not a huge fan of it.. But it works, it feels somewhat close to me. If people say a name and you turn around, it works :P. If you want to think of a name with meaning again, get kids :P.
Quote from: Kirey on January 09, 2015, 08:05:24 PM
Most cis people do not like their name. But it is their name. Same with you in this case.
Agreed. Even before I knew I was transgender I hated my birthname and made everyone call me a nickname.
I needed to pick a new female name (long story). I had been trying Catherine, and going by Cate. Regal, age appropriate, and I would keep my first initial.
So I've been playing around with my new name in my head to see if it's right. I'm still presenting male though and I'm a ways off from transition. But yesterday, when asked for my birth name, I almost said "Cate." I guess that means it feels right!
What a way that would have been to come out to my wife!
I've thought along these lines myself. I agree it would be a tremendous hassle to go through all the legal name change red tape (again). Is it worse to go through all that, or occasionally be referred to as a name you're not too keen on anymore? I can't say I've conclusively answered that question myself, but I think that's what it comes down to. Especially in this day and age though, one need not be confined to a single name. Of course you will only have one legal name associated with you, but many people don't go by this day to day. Legal name I say is what the government calls me. Day to day at work and such I have my "common use name". Pretty much only HR knows that something else is on the legal records. I've got a bunch of online names. I've got a spiritual name. If/when I get any of my writing published I may end up have one or more pen names. Some writers are more well-known by their pen name than by their legal name (Mark Twain being an obvious example). Since I'm me, only I get to decide which ones are really me and which ones are just an administrative label.
You look like Josh, I don't know if I chose the right name but it's not legally changed yet.
The name I used as a teen was overused and didn't fit me. My new name feels like coming home.
I chose one (and I use it at therapy and other places) but based on my mom's suggestions I'm going to go with one that she chose. I haven't done the legal name change yet, but I will do so soon.
I think you look 100% a Kevin. A good nick name for it is Kev. I was told the meaning of the name is "Beautiful".
Celtic Meaning:
The name Kevin is a Celtic baby name. In Celtic the meaning of the name Kevin is: Gentle.
American Meaning:
The name Kevin is an American baby name. In American the meaning of the name Kevin is: Gentle.
Gaelic Meaning:
The name Kevin is a Gaelic baby name. In Gaelic the meaning of the name Kevin is: Attractive.
Anglicized form of the Irish name Caoimhín, derived from the older Irish Cóemgein, composed of the Old Irish elements cóem "kind, gentle, handsome" and gein "birth". Saint Caoimhín established a monastery in Glendalough, Ireland in the 6th century and is the patron saint of Dublin.
Quote from: AbeLane on January 09, 2015, 08:17:21 PM
Agreed. Even before I knew I was transgender I hated my birthname and made everyone call me a nickname.
Same here. I lit up every time I heard my nickname.
Hey there :-)
I remember hating my old name to the point where I would cringe. I identify/identified as non-binary for ages so even though I haven't started transitioning I have already done my name change both socially (two years ago) and legally (a year ago). Both are so annoying, and I bet they're harder when you're older. I still have to change my name on different things, like my passport, my tax file, etc.
Personally I always REALLY liked the name Alex, but it was so common that it frankly would have been weird if I had chosen it. I eventually came up with my current name (also beginning with A, also unisex) just browsing on the internet. There's two forms of the name, both unisex but each one leaning one way on the gender spectrum (apparently). I chose the more masculine one (because most people know me as a guy). I guess I kind of regret that decision now, but it doesn't bother me at all because it's said in the same way and I prefer the look of it this way. It's less "pretty" and more "me" hahaha.
I think it's important to like your name. In my experience, people will also adapt quite quickly to a name change, within two years most of my friends have no recollection of my birth name. OTHERS have no problem just saying it casually to a group which SUCKS.
I think you look like a Kevin, but that's mostly because that's what your name currently is. You can try different nicknames like Kev, Vinnie, etc. People could also call you by your middle name or last name, that's a common thing.
I don't have a tattoo for many reasons, but the big one is the fact that I don't feel like there's anything so significant to me that I want scarred onto my body for life.
I wish names weren't like tattoos. That we could just adopt the name that fits us for the moment, and not worry about being stuck with it for life. And when it comes time to let it go, it's a simple form and done. Not thins long, arduous procedure, like getting a tattoo removed.
guhhh Im so bad at picking names, for anything really. I'll spend an hour naming a character in a video game. how am i supposed to pick my own name?? im trying out gwen for now, and i like it, but... i feel like no matter what name i choose, I'll have doubts about it :P
ah well i'll probably go with gwen, i do like it :icon_geekdance:
Being that I am ok with my birth name, and slightly less so with the middle name, I wanted to find something that reflects that but masculinizes *me*. I did a lot of research and found a German spelling of the name mine derives from. (Laurence -> Lorenz, Laurie -> Lori) I also liked the change because those who really couldn't deal with the transition would still be able to call me by a nickname that *fits*. (Bonus for me is I barely have to edit my signature at all).
For my middle name, I stuck fairly close, but chose Theodor instead of Theresa. I like the sound of it more than the original and both names pay homage to my German background. Theodor also speaks to me of my own desire to love God, as I come from a fairly indepth place of faith - even if I argue with God about most things and look and God going.... "REALLY?! Now adding This too? Gee... what else you gonna throw at me?"
So, from Lori Theresa to Lorenz Theodor I shall be when I can finally move to that point of transition.
As to you.... I'd say Peter, because you have that mischief in your smile that reminds me of the great and wonderful Peter Pan (Or perhaps Robin, as homage to the man I think best portrayed that particular eternal youth).
Quote from: IAmDariaQuinn on January 11, 2015, 11:56:06 PM
I don't have a tattoo for many reasons, but the big one is the fact that I don't feel like there's anything so significant to me that I want scarred onto my body for life.
I wish names weren't like tattoos. That we could just adopt the name that fits us for the moment, and not worry about being stuck with it for life. And when it comes time to let it go, it's a simple form and done. Not thins long, arduous procedure, like getting a tattoo removed.
That's an interesting comparison to draw - I agree completely! It makes sense to me that a name should fit you at certain points in your life, and perhaps a new stage of life or maturity could warrant a new name. My current name feels like me as a teenager, because I chose it when I was 15.
I also couldn't get a tattoo for the same reasons. :P
I decided to go with the name my parents had picked out for me (Lisa) when the doctor told them they were having a girl. It's not a name I would have chosen for myself (Elizabeth is my favorite girl name), but it has a lot more significance as it was the name I would have been given had I been born with the correct parts. I took the feminine version of my birth name as a second (actually first since I placed it before the middle name my parents had picked) middle name and have toyed with the idea of adding Charlotte (a girl name I like that flows well with the rest of my name) as an additional middle name.
Quote from: Elsa Delyth on January 09, 2015, 04:07:45 PMI almost got thrown out of the registry too, because I refused to swear on the bible, and offered to swear on peter pan...
Wait, where do you live, where they make you swear on the Bible to change your name? I live in Pennsylvania, and I didn't have to do such a thing.
I'm fortunate that my boy name fit me very well as a boy, and my girl name fits me very well as a girl. My mom chose both of them. Boy, does she know me! Thanks, Mom! :)
The name I chose is the name I used for my characters in MMOs for years. I'm already conditioned to respond to it from being called it on voice comms and it fits me perfectly. I get a ton of comments on how pretty and unique it is, but its rareness can be a disadvantage. I am loathe to use it on here and other online communities, for example, because I would be really easy to find. I came up with the name, kind of by accident. When I made my first character, I was having problems coming up with a name that wasn't already being used, so I typed in the name of a childhood friend whose name I really liked and is unique. Right after doing that I felt like using my friend's name was wrong and kind of creepy, so I modified it to something I liked better. As it turns out, my name is not unique but is extremely rare.
My birth name is common and obviously male. When I was in school, I had a lot of problems associating that name with me, and when teachers would call me it, I wouldn't respond. Eventually, in my 20's, I learned to respond to my birth name, but there was always a delay where my brain would have to consciously respond to it. It is *so* freeing to have a name that I feel is absolutely perfect for me.
i agree, most people do not get to choose their names, same as their biological sex and race, but they keep it anyway because they know no better. We trans people have a (culturally ?) unique opportunity (?) to change our names to more accurately fit ~Us~ as people, rather than being issued (in the military sense) our names, and having to grow into our names, or just put up with being SOL if middle names or nicknames didn't work.
my advice to anyone looking for a name, would be to go by what was decently popular for your birth year, (give or take a year or two), and choose overlapping names that those lists have in common.
for example
http://www.babycenter.com/popularBabyNames.htm?year=1984
http://www.babycenter.com/popularBabyNames.htm?year=1985
http://www.babycenter.com/popularBabyNames.htm?year=1986
of these 3 lists, 'Rebecca' as a name hovers around the lower part of the 'top 20', in terms of popularity; fairly popular, but not top 10 or top 5, and thus, not inclined to stand out via trendiness, nor is it the bottom ten of the top 100 (or ranking less than that, even), and won't stand out again because of obscurity/ comparative uniqueness, the way 'sheena' or 'margaret' might, for those years. (or perhaps worse, truly archaic legacy names like 'ethyl' or 'jebediah')
*pauses to cringe at the scary datedness of those last two names*
anyway, i varied the spelling of my name from Rebecca to 'Rebekka', because the look of it seems to balance out. Where 'Rebecca' is composed almost entirely of curves and such, 'Rebekka' has abit of pointed-ness to it, and abit more visual force to it...... Also, i get to be nicknamed 'Bekkie' :D :-*
*dances around some :P *
And Kevin.... You look like a 'Kevin' to me, although you could nickname yourself to 'kev' 8) (<--- kinda badass?) , and then add backronyms to it, like .... kindness equals victory ?
Quote from: kast on January 08, 2015, 07:29:27 AM
I feel like I've grown out of the name I chose for myself, and that perhaps it wasn't the right choice. Can anyone relate? ???
Cannot relate directly doing a name change, but I know picking a name can be a very hard thing to do.
Quote from: kast on January 08, 2015, 07:29:27 AM
I wouldn't even know how to announce something like this, because my social circle is a mix of people who know and don't know I'm trans.
Not knowing your precise situation, I would not worry about people not knowing your trans. Just tell people that you changed your name and this is the name you want to go by now. If people ask, just tell them you didn't like Kevin anymore and now want to be known by this name. End of story.
Quote from: kast on January 08, 2015, 07:29:27 AM
At what point is it worth saying yeah it's a hassle but it'll make me happier? Advice on any of this?
Now your asking a really tough question because it varies from person to person. I would say, in a generic way, that the moment that your thinking about it all the time would be the time it would be worth the hassle. Its your mind's way of telling you that it really wants something done about it.
Quote from: kast on January 08, 2015, 07:29:27 AM
Bonus question for fun - what name do I look like?
You look like a George to me. Don't ask me why. That is the first name that came into head when I saw your picture.
I sort of get what you're saying, but I feel like my issue is still the newness. I love the name Damara, but it's still weird to hear at times.. I also have this thing where I feel like people are using my name in an obligatory pitying way (which I may make a post about later) that isn't a genuine "This is her name so I'm calling her this name." In my head it's like I'm imagining people that know are thinking, 'He' just wants me to call 'him' this and I will because I'm nice and a friend." Obviously this is some issue I need to work through. lol!
And I also think you look like a Mark. :)
Quote from: DrummerGirl on January 15, 2015, 05:33:03 PM
The name I chose is the name I used for my characters in MMOs for years. I'm already conditioned to respond to it from being called it on voice comms and it fits me perfectly. I get a ton of comments on how pretty and unique it is, but its rareness can be a disadvantage. I am loathe to use it on here and other online communities, for example, because I would be really easy to find.
I too am already conditioned to a unisex version of my name being used as my nickname by people around me. And I can't use either of them here for the same reason, that it would make me really easy to find. So if/when I do get to really change my name, I have this as an option if I do not want to find a completely new name.
To the OP, I think Kevin suits you fine.
i havent legally chosen it yet but i like what im going by. its not uncommon from where i live, alltho the spelling is.
I have used the same name to refer to myself since pre teenage years. It still works for me and makes sense with my generation and heritage. As for my birth name I've never liked it, and hated the nickname version of it, luckily most of the time people either used my last name or a random nickname.