Hello,
I'm a pre everything ftm and I'm just trying to get things layed out so that my transition can go easier. So my question today is if/when you changed your name how did you pick it and why? I don't know if I should choose one myself or what.. Also, did you possibly go by that name for awhile before officially changing it? My mother always said that if I was a boy she would have named me jack, so I was thinking of giving that a shot in her honor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some people like to find baby name books and birth name lists from the year they were born. That way they can find something that is era appropriate for themselves. Others do what you're considering, and go with what their parents would have named them. And some people listen to weird podcasts about towns plagued by Orwellian and Lovecraftian horrors, and grow attached to girls that lead revolts against the towns' man-eating librarians during the "Summer Reading Program."

It takes all kinds...

I've heard that one should pick a name appropriate for the trends of their age and race and all that.

But I feel way more adventurous. I've always wanted a name that didn't identify my sex, race, country of origin or age. Got the perfect opportunity now.

Asked my mom.

For me personally it's best to pick a name that suits your personality or to pick one your parents were going to name you. Although don't feel pressurised to use it just because your parents like it. You always have the option of having Jack as a middle name.
I picked Elis because it's slightly androgynous sounding (I like to present fem and masculine; although my gender identity is mostly male) and isn't very common; which was a nice break from my extremely common birth name. I also had to think about when I'm older. Can I imagine myself in 10, 20, 30 yrs called the same thing.
Also I've found that it's very rare to find a name and you immediately love it. Just try it out, keep calling yourself that and see how it makes you feel. I randomly found my name from the Internet after trying to come up with various other names and Elis just stuck.
Most importantly don't feel rushed, it's best to take your time than be lumbered with a name you don't particularly like.

My real name is Genevieve. I've always liked the name as long as I can remember. There's some regality to it. When I came out as trans over a decade ago, I already had my name.

Quote from: Tamika Olivia on January 07, 2016, 10:52:07 PM
And some people listen to weird podcasts about towns plagued by Orwellian and Lovecraftian horrors

To be honest I got attached to the name Cecil because of that same reason. Unfortunately I don't think it works quite right for me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Consider what factors are important to you - meaning, origin, initials, etc. Then look at baby name websites and find ones you like based off those things. If there are a few names you like, it might help to try them out on a couple of close friends or family members. Hearing the name actually being used for you can really solidify your decision.

Personally, I kept my initials (which I often regret to be honest, but you might not) and just picked the name that I liked most. My middle name was the feminine form of my grandfather's, who died of cancer, so I just changed it to his actual name to keep that honor.

All good suggestions. Another, similar, would be look at your high school year book. I picked a name only two girls in a class of about 250 females had.

Ultimately it has to be something you feel comfortable with. A culturally appropriate name will make your life so much easier.

This is a sweet topic I think.

I chose my name, Carissa (first) and Jaye (middle) for multiple reasons:

1.) I love any name that ends in "issa". I first heard of this name in my middle teens and used it for every RPG videogame I played. Curiously enough the first spelling I saw began with a "Karissa"

2. My birthname is Joshua, which in all honestly I like. It ends with "a" which is feminine. Howoever my mom would sometimes call me "Jay" growing up for short. While I wasn't a GI Joe fan per se, for those of you may remember Lady Jaye... I remembered that and thought... gosh if my mom called me "Jay", and such.... hmm the name just got more sweet sounding. So I've decided that is my middle name.

IMHO 'Carissa' is a very feminine name. Its pretty, and I've always liked it. 'Jaye' is cute because it to me sounds sophisticated, playful, and a bit retro which I like as well. But somehow Jaye-Carissa doesn't roll off the tongue as well.

Lastly as I am transitioning I feel more comfortable with those who I am out to, be referred as 'Jaye' for now. In my mind, its an intermediary name fitting for my appearance. I am still mostly masculine right now but changing every day just a tad. Plus I feel it will be easier on my mom since it sounds similar and she'd appreciate that. Once I am fully  transitioned I feel the name 'Carissa' will be warranted.

That girls, is how I arrived at my name 

There are tons of different methods to finding a name. Most of them have been mentioned already. (Baby name websites, asking your parents, etc.) I had a really hard time, in part because I am pathologically indecisive.

My chosen name is simply the male version of my birth name. My birth name was Carley, and ironically my name Carl is the veyr first one I rejected. At the time I hated it. I tried every method I could think of. I went through uncountable websites, I asked my parents (who weren't much help. My Dad for some reason never made a suggestion even though he was supportive, and my Mom was trying to pretend it wasn't happening. She's better about it now.)

I tried out Liam for a while just because I liked it, but it wasn't really working. I was really hoping for an epiphany moment where I just found "the one," but it never happened. And I'm not sure if it ever would have.

Throughout all this searching my Love was just calling me Carl because she didn't want to call me by a female name, and it grew on me. I got used to it. Now I'm pretty content with it. There are days when I wish I had gone with Simon instead,  because my parents named me after the singer Carly Simon. But I have a feeling that I might have said the same thing no matter what I chose, because I'm perpetually unsure of myself. Changing it at this point would be a pain in the ass anyway, although I know people would support me if I decided to.

My Dad helped me choose my middle name at least. I wanted Lloyd because that was my grandpa's name and I was super close to him. But my brother already has that as a middle name and I figured that would be weird. I still wanted a name from that side of the family, and I was kind of hoping to keep my initials the same. My dad suggested Arthur because that was my great grandfather's name, so I became Carl Arthur.

I used a list of names from the year I was born and picked the one I liked the most. Then I asked my mother to pick my middle name for me.

My name is after my grandfather. It was his middle name, and it's generally extremely obscure.

Well, it's not legally changed yet, but I picked Faith. For one, it's really feminine and just sounds awesome, like.. I am Faith. Lol. For two, it fits my personality and my spiritual aura. Three, this isn't really a reason.. it kind of is, but isn't.. but my brother Migail had a tattoo put on his arm with a bird and rose saying, "Lil' Faith" because I am his little "bro" now sis. It's really sweet and all, but he's in prison for reasons that would be a long, unnecessary story.
My middle name is Rena, given to me by my dad and mom, and in their honor, and since it is so beautiful to me, my name is Faith Rena. I might add another part- my mother's middle name, Annette, since Rena is my dad's. Plus, my mother passed in '09 so it would be in her honor. Thank you all for reading.

I'm thinking I'm just going to stay Tyler. Sure it's on the masculine side, but I have met cis-women with the name, and I want to drive home, that no matter how much I change, I'm always gonna be me. =)

But who knows, I could always change my mind.

Quote from: TyorTay? on January 12, 2016, 07:47:54 AM
I'm thinking I'm just going to stay Tyler. Sure it's on the masculine side, but I have met cis-women with the name, and I want to drive home, that no matter how much I change, I'm always gonna be me. =)

But who knows, I could always change my mind.

Tyler is a nice name for a girl. If you mix it up with a cute middle name I think it could only get better

Chose a name I liked, wasn't too out of the ordinary and I didn't like too much.

I always thought you should be a little disapointed with your name

My name just came to me. Never had thought about it but Susanne just popped into my head and so Suzi it is!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can't tell you how many gmail accounts I set up under different names. I tried on versions of my mother's name, a name I thought I'd use when I was a kid... I'm not out to many people but I picked a name based on someone I admire for their strengths and a plus, with my lousy signature, I can sign my name and they look indistinguishable with the exception that I add a dot for an i that doesn't exist in my male name. It gives me a little something in my daily life. Claire vs Charles. I told you I've a lousy signature. 


Claire (née Dori)

I picked a name that resonated with me well and went with that. It fit so I kept as far as my middle name I picked a name as a result of reading something. As others have mentioned, picking up a book or something and looking through names may help. My first name I had picked out during my first transition, but my middle name I had picked out early in transition this time around. The change to my name was made with the first month of going full time. Hugs
Mariah