Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Topic started by: KrisRenee on January 23, 2011, 10:28:35 PM

Title: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: KrisRenee on January 23, 2011, 10:28:35 PM
So, one major thing that comes with the ftm transition i have found is the name change.  I personally stayed close to my original name kristen for the time being but when i start to transition further i might go farther away.  Looking at Avery, Exavier (yes with an E) or Jensen.  I was just wondering, when you did your name change, did you stay close to what your birth name was or venture away from it?
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: little_green on January 23, 2011, 10:50:43 PM
I started off close to my birth name.  Then decided for a while I needed to change from Eli because people kept getting it wrong and it felt like an inbetween transition name.  So I tried to change it to Travis for a while, before realising I'm not a Travis and going back to Eli. Elias in full I think.  I guess it depends how you feel about your birth name.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Elijah3291 on January 23, 2011, 10:52:46 PM
my name was Maggie, my name Elijah, is obviously very different.  I just liked the name, and there wasnt a male variation of my old name anyway, and I didnt really feel like an "M" anyway, felt more like an "E"
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: little_green on January 23, 2011, 10:54:33 PM
I think I feel like an E.  I've always been attached to that letter and most people just called me E in the past, even my parents.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Britney♥Bieber on January 23, 2011, 10:57:56 PM
I had a few names but I couldn't love them. Britney stuck with me since the beginning and I ended up going with it. When I thought of ppl calling me Britney it made me smile haha. :) I was hesitant to use it cuz I'm in love with Britney Spears but who cares. Its a name and I love it. I feel comfortable using it. :)
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: rexgsd on January 23, 2011, 11:14:27 PM
Mines totally different. Theres a couple names real close to my birth name that changing or taking away one letter would make it male, of which i like both the male versions, but I didn't 'look' like those names really. And besides, i want to get as far away from my female life/self as i can.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: LordKAT on January 24, 2011, 12:45:09 AM
My birth name has no equivalent but, if you use the right short version of my new name it can, to an unobservant ear, sound like my birth name.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Clay on January 24, 2011, 01:50:37 AM
i got a lot trouble with the whole name thing... i'd like to keep c, but i don't really like german names and people are useless with more anglophone names... that, and i'm not really good with decisions. i could use a variation of my birthname, but i really don't know now.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: kyril on January 24, 2011, 01:52:52 AM
Birth name: Allison Grace (some people called me one, some the other)
Chosen name: Evan James

Not exactly close (totally different names), but...there's a similarity there. I think I was just used to the way my full name sounded.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Michael Joseph on January 24, 2011, 02:35:21 AM
When I was a little kid I pretended my name was Michael. Also, my mom told me if I was born a boy (which I was, just not biologically) that she would have named me Michael, which worked out. I would do a variation of my name, but I can't find a male name that really matches Sophia..
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Ryan on January 24, 2011, 03:34:33 AM
I could have taken a letter off my birth name and used the male version but I wanted something different. Ryan is what my parents would have chosen for me, so I just went with that.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Sean on January 24, 2011, 09:37:06 AM
I stayed close to my birth name, but that's because I was given a boy's name at birth & everyone used it for the first few years of my life.

So when I was going to switch from the feminine name I'd been known as for most of my life, it made sense to 'restore' my original birth name. I already answered to it instinctively. Also, it was similar enough to my known names (both feminine & my gender-neutral nickname) that people could 'self-correct' in the middle of talking to me or about me.

I did change my middle name - but I kept the same initial, so I wouldn't have to change my signature.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Carson on January 24, 2011, 10:07:46 AM
There isn't a male equivalent of my birth name. I kept the first letter and just chose the name that felt right. I kept my middle name even though it is kind of feminine because it means something to my mom. But plenty of men have feminine names either first or middle.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Robert Scott on January 24, 2011, 10:09:11 AM
I plan to switch my first name to my middle name --- it's Robyn...I think I am going to go with Scott as my first name -- still feeling things out.  My birth middle name was Marie so it has to go
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Lee on January 24, 2011, 03:43:06 PM
I was born Kimberly Leigh ____.  There's no masculinized version of Kimberly, so I went with Lee.  Still looking for a middle name, though.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Sharky on January 24, 2011, 03:49:26 PM
There are guys named Kim. http://www.guysnamedkim.com/GNK/index.html (http://www.guysnamedkim.com/GNK/index.html)
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Shang on January 24, 2011, 03:59:24 PM
Birth name:  Sarah Christine ___________

Chosen name:  Lukas Gabriel __________

I can't think of anything that's a masculinized version of Sarah, but I'm fine with that.  I've always wanted to have a name where I could write out a capital "L" in cursive and Lukas gives me that.  I partially blame my love for Lestat...whose name I might have gone with if I could pull it off and if it was actual name. XD  I'm a dork, though. 

I originally had "Lukas Gabriel" (along with "Michael Damien") chosen for any future kids I might have, but then I realized I really wanted the name Lukas Gabriel.  And if I ever have a boy, he can be named "Michael Damien".  Assuming I have kids. xD
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Janet_Girl on January 24, 2011, 04:04:42 PM
My Birth name is actually a masculine version of Janet, and it no long matters what it was.  Lynn, my middle name, is a modification of my ex's first name.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: xAndrewx on January 24, 2011, 04:08:12 PM
Yeah see I was born

Amanda (ugh)  ____  not much I could do with that so now it's

Andrew Scott _____ which is what my mom would have chosen
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: KrisRenee on January 24, 2011, 07:12:26 PM
Quote from: LukasGabriel on January 24, 2011, 03:59:24 PM
Birth name:  Sarah Christine ___________

Chosen name:  Lukas Gabriel __________

I can't think of anything that's a masculinized version of Sarah, but I'm fine with that.  I've always wanted to have a name where I could write out a capital "L" in cursive and Lukas gives me that.  I partially blame my love for Lestat...whose name I might have gone with if I could pull it off and if it was actual name. XD  I'm a dork, though. 

I originally had "Lukas Gabriel" (along with "Michael Damien") chosen for any future kids I might have, but then I realized I really wanted the name Lukas Gabriel.  And if I ever have a boy, he can be named "Michael Damien".  Assuming I have kids. xD


I really like the name Lukas Gabriel.  It flows well.  By the way, how are things going with that facebook fiasco.  I hope well.

Much peace...Kris
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Shang on January 24, 2011, 07:14:14 PM
Quote from: KrisRenee on January 24, 2011, 07:12:26 PM

I really like the name Lukas Gabriel.  It flows well.  By the way, how are things going with that facebook fiasco.  I hope well.

Much peace...Kris

Thank you!  And so far, so good.  My parents  have asked anything yet, but they were also really tired when I talked to them earlier.  I probably won't hear about it until they get onto facebook again, or not.  (I'm hoping 'not'.)
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: meh on January 24, 2011, 08:18:58 PM
My birth name was Katie Ryan. I was going to drop some letters and go with Kai, but my daughter's name is Lai. I didn't want a name that rhymed with hers. Plus I know a few Kai ftms which is weird.

I went with Shayne and kept Ryan as my middle name.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Ryno on January 24, 2011, 08:54:09 PM
My birth names are Amanda Dawn. I chose Ryan James... Ryan just kind of came to me one day, and James was my grandfather's middle name. I also switched my last name from my dad's to my mom's maiden name. I know a couple of poeple who have used names similar to their birth names but I couldn't do that. I'm not a big fan of male A names and I just didn't want people to associate me in any way with the girl I was.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Brent123 on January 24, 2011, 09:12:45 PM
I spent some time on a name I liked. I thought about a few. But then I starting thinking about my name

Birth name: Sabrina Elise
Chosen name: Brent _____

There's really no masculine form of my name that I know of. But then I thought about a nickname that me parents call me so I made that masculine and got Brent (which I changed my name to if you guys didn't notice). I love when I get called Brent. It makes me happy. I'm not sure of a middle name yet. I thought about choosing Chiam which is the name of my grandma's brother that died in the Holocaust but I'm not sure yet.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Shadowlyc on January 24, 2011, 09:34:18 PM
I went way different from my birth name, at least to my ears. From Stephanie to Zacharias.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Devin87 on January 24, 2011, 10:04:56 PM
I was originally thinking Brian because it's close to my birth name of Brittni and for some reason everyone I've come out to assumed my name would be Brian.  But then I decided if I tried to pick my own name I'd go crazy worrying about picking the wrong one, so I went with the same way I got my birth name-- I let my parents give it to me.  Of course, I'm not out to my parents (although I think my mom, at least, knows), but my mom's told me time and time again what she would've named me if I was born with a male body so I figured that would've been my name if everything had gone right from the beginning, so I might as well take it now.  Plus I took an instant liking to it.  It just felt right.  Probably because it should have been my name all along.  So that's how I chose Devin Scott.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: gilligan on January 24, 2011, 10:16:45 PM
I decided right from the start that I wanted to keep my same initials. I haven't made it legal yet, but I changed my first name to the masculine form of my birthname, although it is not the typical spelling, but not a rare spelling either (I've seen it both ways). And since I wanted to keep my same initials, I couldn't use the masculine form of my middle name, because it would start with a different letter. So I started looking at baby names and found one that sounded good to me.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Morgan on January 25, 2011, 10:04:39 AM
I absolutely love my birth name of Morgan Alexandra, so I'm just changing Alexandra to Alexander. Plus I want to keep my initials MAP. -goes off singing 'I'm the map' from Dora the Explorer-  ::)

If I do however change my mind in the future, I would change my first name to Max, because that's the name I pretended I had when I was a kid.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Xyrenth on January 25, 2011, 08:19:15 PM
Names are something I'm still figuring out.
I'm currently trying to get people to address me in a shortened form of my girlname, which sounds neutral (but not masculine - though I think it might be a male name in another language).
I have a set of boynames: two of them are names I really really like (associate them with literary/mythological characters I admire), and one is a masculine version of my middle girlname.
(Being a very gender-confused/genderqueer/genderfabulous creature, I have also picked a NEW girlname for my rare moments of femme, because doing femininity feels like just as much a transition as doing masculinity. Hmmm.)
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Nonstandard on January 26, 2011, 12:49:25 AM
I've hated my given name for as long as I can remember. Started using a male name to sign some of my artwork and for online stuff back in junior high when things really started feeling wrong but before I even knew that transition was possible. It was something I picked on a whim and wasn't a very fitting name and I started to think about other names after a year of using it. Looking back, it was an important experiment.
Only about 2 years ago, it dawned on me that I had a fitting name all along that I never realized... a nickname that my father used to call me all the time. It's kind of a weird name, neutral leaning towards masculine, and sounds like more of a surname than a first name. But I think that's why I like it so much. Unfortunately, my dad has been restraining himself from calling me by that name since I came out to him.

As for my middle name, I've been thinking of using a name associated with my grandfather. Never met him, but I feel that I really owe a lot to him.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: MarinaM on January 26, 2011, 03:07:05 AM
My birth name is Ryan, the name I use when I am myself is Marina. It's the only other name that I have an attachment to. I don't cringe at Ryan, since I know of two girls named Ryan. For fun though, what do you guys and girls register when you see my avatar (and for those more familiar, take into account my personality)?
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: japple on January 26, 2011, 03:19:02 AM
In my teens I tried to identify as Jennifer because all my girl friends were named Jennifer and it seemed like such a meaningless name.  I felt like it'd help me become an anonymous girl.  It never stuck though and I realized that my very rare name is "me" and I could never change it or stand being called anything else.  It's male-ish but uncommon.  I'll be changing my middle name from Daniel to Danielle.  Kind of a gesture I guess, I've always ignored my middle name.

Japple is J. Minneapolis.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: japple on January 26, 2011, 03:20:49 AM
Quote from: MarinaM on January 26, 2011, 03:07:05 AM
My birth name is Ryan, the name I use when I am myself is Marina. It's the only other name that I have an attachment to. I don't cringe at Ryan, since I know of two girls named Ryan. For fun though, what do you guys and girls register when you see my avatar (and for those more familiar, take into account my personality)?

It seems a little showy and exotic. Although you're beautiful you seem so comfortable in your own skin, something more down to Earth feels right. 
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Tad on January 26, 2011, 03:14:32 PM
I figured why change my birth name completely. People already call me Terri (short ersion of name).. why not just make it Terry (well Terrence as Terry written down just looks way too informal for me).


This will be my 3rd name change. Well it is my third name change. I was born under one name (Irene Anne ____), had that changed by my adoptive faimly to Terri-Anne ___________*cringes*, now I'm going with Terrence Daniel Porter _________.
I had nop middle name growing up, so now I have two.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: FebruaryFalls on January 26, 2011, 03:19:19 PM
Quote from: Andrew Scott on January 24, 2011, 04:08:12 PM
Yeah see I was born

Amanda (ugh)  ____  not much I could do with that so now it's

Andrew Scott _____ which is what my mom would have chosen

haha, yeah, that's my birth name too
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Alex37 on January 26, 2011, 04:59:37 PM
For now I'm going with Christopher Lee.  I'll probably stick to it because it's close to my given name, and my parents never came up with a boys name.  Apparently my mom was dead set on having a girl  :icon_shrug_no:

I like Jonathon Alexander a lot too though.  I'd probably go by Alex in that case.  Or I may just choose an original androgynous name; that would probably suit me better anyway.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: MarinaM on January 26, 2011, 06:07:22 PM
Quote from: japple on January 26, 2011, 03:20:49 AM
It seems a little showy and exotic. Although you're beautiful you seem so comfortable in your own skin, something more down to Earth feels right.

You're right, of course. I think it may help as well as hinder my ability to pass. I don't really have a backup though. I did think loooooong and hard about Morgan too (Sorry Morgan, I'm totally thinking of stealing your name!). Should I dip into Gilmore girls and go with Lorelai or Rory? Really, I'm avoiding the following:
Megan
any derivation of Alex
J names
Rachel
K names

May I ask you boys? What is it that you perceive in a male name that attracts you to it? I absolutely wash the male out of everything I hear, maybe I'm delusional that way. I've also had a male basketball coach named Pearl, know a young lady that likes to go by Frank (no word on whether she's TS), and worked with a man named Stacy. Maybe me being a little older as I go through this has sort of faded the importance of gendered names.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: MaxAloysius on January 29, 2011, 01:02:20 AM
Ugh, I hate even saying my birth name now, since it's been changed for almost five months, but I suppose it helps a lot with the explanation.

I was Stephanie May _____
And am now Maximillian Aloysius _____ (Changed my last name completely too.)

So I kind of tore my name apart, set it on fire and spat on the ashes :P I feel so much better now, being completely separated from that horrible feminine name that just wasn't me at all  ;D
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: okydoky on January 29, 2011, 02:18:53 PM
Me, I've just shortened Arijana to Ari - and a lot of people call me that anyway - it's pretty neutral and most often is a nickname for both genders that have a name that starts with "Ari". However, in the solo version (i.e. when the FULL name is Ari) I've only seen males. I don't know, I feel like it's me and I don't want to do away with my entire life/past. Every experience - good or bad, it's part of me and it makes me who I am. I didn't feel like running away from something like my name would do anything for me - it'd just feel like I'm running/hiding. This way, I feel like I'm saying "I'm still the same person, regardless of what happens to my body". Just my thoughts :)
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: BigDEvs on January 29, 2011, 09:42:08 PM
My birth name started with an M. It is pretty different from Dominick. One tradition I did continue is having two middle names. I had two at birth and have two now. I also was named after my two grandmothers, so I took one of my grandfather's names for my new middle name. Noting against my maternal grandfather, whom I love dearly, but his names didn't go with Dominick.

I should note had I been born a boy I would have been Peter Anthony, so I would have only been named after my paternal grandfather, anyway.

I am now Dominick Matthaios Anthony (Tony was my paternal grandfather).

I was considering Dominick Matthew Anthony, but I am told my brother named Matt was quite mad about that, so I went with the Greek version of Matthew. I did not name myself for him. It just sounded good with Dominick.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Lee on January 29, 2011, 10:01:02 PM
By the way, I'm still trying to figure out a middle name that goes with Lee J___.  If anyone has any ideas, I'd appreciate the help. 
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: BigDEvs on January 29, 2011, 10:12:50 PM
Do you mean you want a middle name that begins with J? Or is your last name J something?
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Lee on January 29, 2011, 10:19:31 PM
Sorry, I really wasn't clear.  My last name begins with a J.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: BigDEvs on January 29, 2011, 10:42:20 PM
Hmm...well Lee is one syllable, so I suggest something 2-3 syllables to balance it out.

Lee Alexander
Lee Bradley
Lee Michael
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: JesseA on January 29, 2011, 10:59:49 PM
or you could always go by Lee but stick it in as a middle name and pick a different first name
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Ribbons on January 30, 2011, 12:13:34 AM
I'm sticking to my birth-name for now, which is Shayla. Feminine as heck, but it's not unknown for men to have female names (Ashley comes to mind, since it used to be a male name).

But, I want to change to Shayne if I can just get myself unattached from my birth name (I feel weird changing it).

...
Lee Benjamin?
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: justmeinoz on January 30, 2011, 06:26:48 AM
Originally I went with Sandra-10th most popular girl's name in my birth year 1953, and Elizabeth as it was common due to the Queen's coronation that year.

When I came out to my mother last weekend, I asked her what her mother's middle name was, unfortunately she didn't have one. So much for that idea.

Now I am inclined towards Allison Patricia, because I like the sound of it with my surname. I will almost certainly be transitioning where I am now so there is no point changing my Surname.
Title: Re: Name Change ftm or mtf
Post by: Nilisa on January 30, 2011, 02:10:29 PM
I'm not going with the feminine of my current name as I just... Really don't like it. I'm not keen on my birth name as it is (Sorry, mum).

So I went with Coraline, inspired partly by the book and film. It's not set in stone, though, but I can't see it changing at all. I love it too much. I chose Kathryn as my middle name (Again, not official yet) for a few reasons. Firstly, I love the name Katie and I also like Kath, but I didn't want Kathryn (Or Catherine) as my first name. Secondly, it's kinda sensible as my mum loves history, and her 'favourite' king to learn about is Henry VIII, who had three wives called Catherine, so it made sense in my head for it to be my middle name - It's a nod to my mum's passions.

I was going to ask for my mum's input when I come out, but I think a name is a personal thing if/when you transition or present as female, and having something I'm comfortable with has been sooo beneficial to me.