I did precisely what you suggested in your original post: my mother once told me that she'd had a feeling she was carrying another son when she was pregnant with me, so before my birth they'd already decided to name me after both of my grandfathers. When I decided to transition there were many names I liked the sound of, but it seemed really appropriate and cathartic for me to revert to the name my parents had originally picked for me; the name that should've been mine all along.

You can always change it later if you want. And if there's a name you particularly like, you could go with that and use your mother's choice as a second name, to honour her.

Honestly, just go with what is important to you. What is more important, being true to what you would have been named if born a cis guy or what name you actually like? It's your decision. I myself am still deciding between Kerrigan, Sebastian and Jack (your would be given name lol). I decided on Kerrigan for this forum, but in the end could end up being any of those. My mother said she would have named me Micheal if I was born male (ew) and my father said he would have called me Alexander (not bad). It just depends on what you like, just take on what feels like you.

If it turns out that I am in fact trans and have to transition at some point, I'm lucky. While my birth name is James, everyone has called me Jamie since I was a baby. And since Jamie is completely gender-neutral, I really don't see a reason to pick something else. My email address includes my middle initial (A) so I would prefer to keep that one. As such, I'm thinking Allison would work well.

So, Jamie Allison for me.

There are many ways to come up with a name. I personally asked the few people I came out to and went through multiple list on the Internet. Once I put together a list with the help of my wife, I then asked people's options to narrow it down. I then had my wife use the names one at a time for a period to see how they felt. I found my favorite name just didn't feel right but I fell in love with Emily. It will take some time but you will know when you find it. 😃

I got my name from the ladies I used to work with.

As a child I had a crush on Katherine Crosby & I loved her name.  She was elegant & her name really just resonated with me.  From about the age of 11 through my teens I often dressed in my Mom & Sister's clothes & wore their shoes when I was home alone.  It was such a comfort.  Though I felt totally female I didn't ever ponder what my female name should be...ever.  Strange, right? 

    Fast forward to when I was 24 years old & going out in public, after dark, dolled up.  I had a good friend & roommate, a younger, cisgendered lady, named Rachael.  I told her my secret early on.  Not only was she cool with it, she gave me make up, hair, and clothing pointers.  On the FIRST night she dolled me up, before going out, she asked me, point blank, what my name was & stated that I must have a name.  I was under the proverbial gun & felt I had to oblige her with a female name for myself.  Katherine Crosby (who I actually met, along with her daughter, Mary Crosby (who shot J.R.) some 15 years later!) just flashed in my mind & I said, "Katherine".  I've kept & liked my name ever since.     

A video game. And one I've yet to play.

I was originally going to with what my female birth name was going to be, Amanda. I grew bored of that. I went with Monica for a few days, but Cassandra stuck after seeing a bunch of pics (and I'm a fan of her mom) and I liked it. It also has two different pronounciations that are both ok. My dad thought I would of picked Colleen, but no...just no. No offense but my male name was pronounced that way for some reason. So...no.

This decision was really straightforward for me. I've just always really liked the name Alison.

I don't know exactly how old I was when I first became into it, but I was definitely a young kid (I don't remember my early years so well and attributing specific ages to the memories I have from that age is not easy). I'm now in my 20s and still love the name. So...that's my name!

I did agonize recently over the decision of how to spell it, though! It's just one of those names with so many spelling variations. I'm pretty sure (I think?) that I've settled on one "L" and an "I", "Alison".

My first and middle name or people I looked up to.

I choosed Elizabeth, because the nickname is Ely and sounds similar to my old name

*

I recently befriended Qian, a woman from China.  For my first lesson in Mandarin, she taught me my name in Chinese:  Li Yuan En (in long form:  Sheng li Ping yuan En dian).

Cool!

Thank you, Qian.

*

Like most people I looked at a lot of names, but none of them really made an impression on me.

In the end it felt like I was forcing myself to choose one and it became more of a chore than anything.

I just couldn't get used to the idea of being called something completely different, and don't think I would have been able to adjust to it.

My birth name was Victoria, and middle name Louise.
Its now Tory, and my middle name is Louis.

My family have always called me Tori, so I just changed the spelling to try and make it sound more masculine.

Some people really enjoy name choosing- I wish I could have been one of them!

Initially I had chosen Olivia because I felt at the time that it fit and I really like the shortened versions of it. However, I've recently decided that it absolutely doesn't fit anymore, though I still think the name is adorable In an effort to make things easier on my mom (who is having a very hard time coming to terms with the uncomfortability I've introduced to her life) I've decided to go by the name I would have been given had I been born physically female, Drew. I personally think it's a really cute name and always have. My middle name is Andrew, so it won't be as much of a stretch to change with the added benefit of being more androgynous which will make my transition a bit easier to get used to. As of yet, I'm undecided on a middle name.

Quote from: Tory on January 23, 2016, 02:14:06 PM
Like most people I looked at a lot of names, but none of them really made an impression on me.

In the end it felt like I was forcing myself to choose one and it became more of a chore than anything.

I just couldn't get used to the idea of being called something completely different, and don't think I would have been able to adjust to it.

My birth name was Victoria, and middle name Louise.
Its now Tory, and my middle name is Louis.

My family have always called me Tori, so I just changed the spelling to try and make it sound more masculine.

Some people really enjoy name choosing- I wish I could have been one of them!

I actually think that's a pretty good idea. I was thinking something in a similar vein, but basically making my first name right now my middle name after transition, or at least the female equivalent. It might just be a lot more convenient for everybody.