Indecision Regarding Name

[Guest Camicochan]

Okay so for starters my given/birth name is Cameron, which is unisex (I've met several female Camerons and then there's Cameron Diaz), which puts me in the position of not having to go through a name change. Somewhere along the way I thought it would be cute to go by the nickname Cami, and I do like it. Now when I moved out of state for college and met new people, I introduced myself as Cami, and being the trans-sensitive (bless their hearts!) people they are, they accepted that unquestioningly. Eventually adding me on facebook, where I show both my name and my nickname, they know my name, but it just feels stilted somehow... like when it comes down to it, I want what people know me as to match my ID and credit card etc. and it seems like there's as large a disparity as if I did have to change my name, which was not the original intention at all. I'm kind of split on the issue, on the one hand the nickname is cute and there's nothing wrong with it, but on the other hand there's a deep feeling of wanting to be like everyone else (don't argue on this point too far!) and everyone else just has a name - period.

I remember that during my gradual acceptance of my identity, I wanted at first to go by a completely different, exclusively female name. And then I wanted Carmen because it was similar but still unambiguously female. Then I accepted not needing a name change and took Cami as another "barrier" to ambiguity. But over the course of living full-time and hrt, I don't feel a need anymore to kick away my old name as a symbol of my old life, nor a need for an unambiguously female name, as I feel my female identity is now more fully embodied and less dependent on that.

I guess in writing this I've somewhat answered my own question , but I'd like to see others' opinions.

[Carolyn Marie]

Hi, Cami! I haven't had a chance to reply to any of your posts, so just let me say welcome to Laura's!

I like both the names Cami and Cameron. Names are such a personal thing, I don't think anyone else's opinion matters as long as

you're happy with it and you think it fits you.

I had to laugh a bit about your mention of the name Carmen being "unambiguously female," as I had a male friend in the PD whose

first name was Carmen, and the new male City Attorney for Los Angeles is also named Carmen.

When you get around to it, I encourage you to post in the Introductions Forum so folks have a chance to say hi.

I look forward to seeing your posts.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest yvonne]

Welcome Cami,

We're glad to have you here. Your photo looks nice and you should be proud.

Regarding your name question, I can think of a lot of people who go more by their nickname than their legal name. Jack (John), Chuck (Charles), Bob (Robert), Andy (Andrew), Gus (Gustavious) and many more spring easily to mind.

Going by Cami (which is a beautiful femmie name, by the way) rather than Cameron seems quite natural to me. It's also appealing because it's cheap and involves no legal hassle at all....

So, my vote (like I had one) is keep it like it is, it's beautiful.

And again, welcome to the garden, it's a beautiful place.

Yvonne

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hey, Cami!

Honey....I like Cami....that is my pick....

A beautiful girl name off of your given...

Here's a little secret....My name (Donna Jean) is a slight twist on my given name (Donald Eugene)...close, right?

I think that you lucked out with a good, comfy name to transition with ...Go for it...

And, you're as cute as a button!

HUGGGGS!

Donna Jean

[Guest angie]

Good Day Miss Cami,

What is the most important is that you are comfortable with your chosen name.

If Cameron fits like a glove then by all means use it.I use Angie because folks

find it easy to approach me.While Angelique is a mouthful and doesn't sound as

approachable or friendly.And after almost seven years of using Angie,everyone

is having a hard time using my full name now,expect my closest girlfriends,who

refuse to use anything else but my full name.

Cami is a very cute name and leaves no doubt you are a woman.I know that after

living in role for some time,we become much more laid back about being gendered,

just as long as they use our real name.So once again, if you prefer your birth name,

then I would by all means use it.Plus it will make it easier for your family to adjust to

the change without having to relearn a new name.

Welcome to the Playground Ms Cami

Huge Hugs,

Angelique-Angie

[Guest viv]

Hi Cami,

Can I offer you a belated welcome to Laura"s. I read in another post re ones name .

One of the replies went along the lines of "if it feels right, if it seems to *fit*" its probably

right for you . I use the name Viv here and I like it but ,I will not use that name when I

begin to live full time "her". I will use the name of a pen friend I had many many moons

ago ( from a different country) and am out of touch with now. I intend, of course, to let

all know here ( dont know what the mods will think of that )

So , Cami , luv your name and I hope to see it a lot ,,,,viv