The name I chose is Arin Laurie, but I've been contemplating adding a middle name, or making "Arin" my middle name. It's important that everything flows nicely, which got me thinking a bit more literally. A friend then mentioned how he was watching Firefly, and so I thought... hey, what about the name River?? River Arin Laurie? Both names are very androgynous, which I like, but overall sounds perfectly feminine. Thoughts? Suggestions?

To be honest I've never heard of Arin before. Presumably it sounds like Aaron which could lead to you being misgendered, especially on the phone. (I read another woman's account of constantly being misgendered until she changed her name from Robin to Elizabeth.)

I like River though. It may be andro but it has an overall more female quality to it.

Quote from: Ms Grace on January 01, 2015, 04:06:19 PM
To be honest I've never heard of Arin before. Presumably it sounds like Aaron which could lead to you being misgendered, especially on the phone. (I read another woman's account of constantly being misgendered until she changed her name from Robin to Elizabeth.)

I like River though. It may be andro but it has an overall more female quality to it.

I chose the spelling "Arin" because, in its Indian origin, it means "light-bringer". Also, other spellings have been overused. There was a trans guy whose story was on TV a few times that went by that name, and that was kind of a bummer, so I thought it was time to augment my name. The name River, in fiction, always seems to be associated with strong female characters (Doctor Who, Firefly), so I think that would be a nice choice to represent my own strength through transition.

I like it, flows nicely 

These are all nice names, although I also confess to never having heard the name Arin either.  River does however bring to mind River Phoenix  .   

Extending Grace's comments, my feeling is that if you pass in voice and in person, then go for it.  If you think people are going to misgender you for these things, then maybe some unambiguously feminine names might be useful...

This said, I didn't change my name, as it's uncommon and gender neutral in most countries, and I don't get misgendered.

Have fun with your choice!!

I chose Vulynn as my name, it's my modification of the word Vulcan. The way it sits now is like this, Vulynn Tyler Ross.... I don't like it that much.

Vulynn Vita Vargen, which is Fiery White Wolf.... I really like that... but it's just an idea right now.

Quote from: Electric Fuzzball on January 01, 2015, 05:24:29 PM
I chose Vulynn as my name, it's my modification of the word Vulcan. The way it sits now is like this, Vulynn Tyler Ross.... I don't like it that much.

Vulynn Vita Vargen, which is Fiery White Wolf.... I really like that... but it's just an idea right now.

Very cool name! As the name River may be easily associated with River Phoenix, I think the sound of "River Laurie" or "River Arin Laurie" sounds far more feminine. I won't be making any legal changes for a while, though, so I'll have plenty of time to think about it.

Quote from: Illuminess on January 01, 2015, 05:33:00 PM
Very cool name! As the name River may be easily associated with River Phoenix, I think the sound of "River Laurie" or "River Arin Laurie" sounds far more feminine. I won't be making any legal changes for a while, though, so I'll have plenty of time to think about it.

Thank you!

I'm not making anything legal anytime soon as well, so I'll just keep thinking until then.

I have two friends named Arin! I love the name personally and you could always play with the original name like changing Arin to Arina

Quote from: Vamapandaz on January 02, 2015, 12:50:12 PM...you could always play with the original name like changing Arin to Arina

Mine went like this...

Vulcan->Vulan->Vulynn

There were other ideas like Vulin and Vull, but Vulynn has been quite important to me, so I'm sticking with that.

Quote from: Electric Fuzzball on January 02, 2015, 02:17:21 PM
Mine went like this...

Vulcan->Vulan->Vulynn

There were other ideas like Vulin and Vull, but Vulynn has been quite important to me, so I'm sticking with that.

I like it! Its unique!

I am obviously an out-of-date old woman. Names like these baffle me and I wonder why anyone would want to burden themselves with names that you will spend your life spelling out every time someone tries to write it down.

Quote from: dbrhmu on January 02, 2015, 03:40:16 PM
I am obviously an out-of-date old woman. Names like these baffle me and I wonder why anyone would want to burden themselves with names that you will spend your life spelling out every time someone tries to write it down.

I've know girls by all names, and had fallen in love with some of these girls (mainly just crushes). I couldn't just use a simple, pre-made name because it'd feel like I was trying to be one of those girls.

Vulynn means a lot to me, I used it in online games with my friends and ended up having some of the best memories while using that name. I couldn't ever make myself use a name already used by another human.... it's just my thing.