I think Walter's a great name.

(And don't worry about changing your name a million times, I've already done it 3 times in like what, a month or so that I've been here? lol)

As far as how much input I let people have on choosing, I originally went with a name that I had always loved, Braedon (and would've named my daughters if they'd been boys - who knows, they're young yet, one of them may ask for that name back some day... lol. But honestly, I hope not, their dad would *absolutely* blame me if either of them turned out to be trans (or queer of any flavor, really). Fingers crossed that they're both cis, straight, and "normal"... ).

After I'd tried out that name for awhile (on here, and with my partner), I came out to my mom and one of the first things she awesomely asked was "since you're not going to keep the name I picked for you, do I get any say on your new name?" So I asked "well, what would you choose if it was up to you?" and she picked James, which I really liked. I then talked to my brother (who I'm extremely close with and have been our whole lives) about what type of name he thinks I "seem" like, and he picked Steve. He even joked that no matter what name I went with, he'd still call me Steve anyways "cuz it's such an awesome name - everyone should be named Steve" (and no, it's not his name. lol).

So I played around with Braedon, James and Stephen in my mind for I think a week or two. A couple of times I'd be hanging out with my brother and say "hey, think quick: am I Braedon or James" (he went with James) or I'd look in the mirror and say "Hey Stephen, how's it going? Hey James, what's up? Morning Steve, how'd ya sleep? Can you pass the salt please, Braedon? 'Sup, Jay?" and just tested out how each of those names and nicknames felt.

Eventually I just got to a point where I felt really comfortable with James, and the others just weren't fitting. Also, I really like the fact that I can say "that's what my momma named me!" without resorting to fabrication. So, that's the long and the short -- okay, okay, it's just the long -- of how I chose my name and who had influence and how much!

The sad thing is that no matter what name you decide on; as soon as you have done the legal name change you'll immediatley start coming across all these really great names that you'll wish you'd though of before hand!

Quote from: Jeatyn on August 15, 2009, 12:04:46 AM
you think you're a dork? My surname is Strife

You sir...are made of WIN

And Wendy...I know -___-;; I expect it

NES_junkie: Everytime I hear the name Steve I think of Steve from Resident Evil CV...XD

Told everyone I was a dork o.o

Quote from: Wendy1974 on August 15, 2009, 12:34:05 AM
The sad thing is that no matter what name you decide on; as soon as you have done the legal name change you'll immediatley start coming across all these really great names that you'll wish you'd though of before hand!

haha. thanks for the heads up, i'm about to do the change. so what names did you like afterwards?

I came out and everyone just said, sweet, so you're Natalie now. It some how came naturally, and everyone just switched over with it pretty quick. Although, my nickname for my last name was Nat -- So, I'm still called Nat, or Natalie, Natters, Natterbee. So, It kinda just seemed pretty seemless. I thought of a few other ones, but everyone liked the Natalie.

I know a few ppl who've changed their names a few times during transition.

There is nothing wrong with Walter.  It's a solid name.  Just because you don't want something trendy or the latest fad, doesn't mean your friends should have input.  I wouldn't listen to other's opinions but listen to yourself.  If you like Walter, keep it.


Jay

Quote from: Nero on August 15, 2009, 12:52:10 AM
haha. thanks for the heads up, i'm about to do the change. so what names did you like afterwards?

Natalie, Phoebe, Zoe and Heidi. Phoebe would never work thanks to Friends and I don't look like a Phoebe. I know too many Natalie's now. Zoe is still a really great name. Heidi rocks...but one of my best friend's name is Peter so that would have been a problem!
I settled on Wendy 21 years ago though so when I came out and people asked what my new name would be I knew it was going to be Wendy. No one liked Wendy for me but I was set on it. I don't know why they didn't like it, no one could ever seem to articulate their objection. Now I've been on RLT for 5 months and no one thinks twice about my name, well except my parents. I think I've grown into it.

Well as soon as I heard from my parents what my name was supposed to be had I been born in the correct body, I knew it was for me.  One day it will be legal, but until then it will remain my wonderful news.

Kristi

Quote from: Kristi on August 15, 2009, 08:57:14 AM
Well as soon as I heard from my parents what my name was supposed to be had I been born in the correct body, I knew it was for me.  One day it will be legal, but until then it will remain my wonderful news.

Kristi

I thought of that too but unfortunately they gave that name away to my little sister. Darn it. She always did get all the best stuff! 

As long as your like of the name outweighs any dislike of things other people associate with it, then there's no issue.

In other words, you're going to hear "....like Cronkite?" a lot.

In the same sort of area, you're going to want to google your whole (well, first and last) name before making your final decision.

Case in point - The male version of my birth name, when coupled with my last name turned out to be the name of a "super evil villian magic guy" out of a horrible, very trashy vampire / spooky / magic witches type women's romance novel. Even right down to the unusual spelling.

Luckily, I liked another name more. Otherwise, it could have gone horribly wrong  .

Personally I like the name Walter.  You're going to want to go with a name that makes your ears prick up when someone calls to you in the street, or even just some other Walter. My birth name is Hilary and all my life I've gotten ".... like Hilary Clinton?" or "....like Hilary Duff?".  Walter is a really classy name and name trends get recycled all the time, so I say go with it. 

Quote from: roo on August 15, 2009, 10:28:08 AM
Personally I like the name Walter.  You're going to want to go with a name that makes your ears prick up when someone calls to you in the street, or even just some other Walter. My birth name is Hilary and all my life I've gotten ".... like Hilary Clinton?" or "....like Hilary Duff?".  Walter is a really classy name and name trends get recycled all the time, so I say go with it.

My birth name is Hilary, too, and it drove me absolutely insane. 
I have to think about which names make my ears "prick up".  I think Adrian does, honestly, but everyone says it doesn't suit me.

I've been through so many names that I haven't had the chance to be called by it and have my ears prick up. My ears only prick up when my birth name is called out (or my nickname my family calls me). Unfortunately :/

Quote from: Adrian on August 15, 2009, 01:45:31 PM
My birth name is Hilary, too, and it drove me absolutely insane. 
I have to think about which names make my ears "prick up".  I think Adrian does, honestly, but everyone says it doesn't suit me.

I couldn't stand it either, as I got older I didn't mind it so much though it always felt a little weird to me.  My mom loves it though, so I dunno, I was going to ask her what she'd have liked to name me had I turned out to be a boy..  well turns out Hilary used to originally be a guys' name, so maybe it was more appropriate than she knew 

Quote from: roo on August 16, 2009, 01:31:44 PM
I couldn't stand it either, as I got older I didn't mind it so much though it always felt a little weird to me.  My mom loves it though, so I dunno, I was going to ask her what she'd have liked to name me had I turned out to be a boy..  well turns out Hilary used to originally be a guys' name, so maybe it was more appropriate than she knew 

Yes, Hilary was a male surname.  That is a little relieving, I suppose.  There are a few men who have it as a first name, though, even in modern days.  I was always told Hilary meant "cheerful one", and I was constantly likened to Hilary Duff.  Yeah, that got old fast.     My name always seemed to be a complete contradiction of who I was.  Hell, everything was a contradiction for me, and as a child, all I ever heard was "Mary, Mary, quite contrary".  They thought I was doing it because I was a quirky little creature, but I always did feel a little lost.

<threadjack>

Quote from: Adrian on August 16, 2009, 02:24:31 PM
"Once you can accept the universe as being something expanding into an infinite nothing which is something, wearing stripes with plaid is easy." - Albert Einstein

I don't think I've mentioned yet how much I absolutely love your signature, Adrian.

</threadjack>

Quote from: NES_junkie_James on August 16, 2009, 03:38:49 PM
<threadjack>

I don't think I've mentioned yet how much I absolutely love your signature, Adrian.

</threadjack>

Why, thank you.     Einstein definitely had some very inspirational quotes, and I think this one evokes a certain level of thought that a lot of people don't give any regard to.  I think it explains my way of thinking quite well.

Quote from: Jeatyn on August 15, 2009, 12:04:46 AM
you think you're a dork? My surname is Strife

You're kidding. Mine's Highwind, aint that funny.  jk

Walter/Vincent,
Go with whatever feels right. A name that makes your head turn when you hear it as if it was your birthname. That's all I gotta say.